Other — India Trademark Cases
231 decisions indexed
Page 7 of 8 · 231 total
Time Incorporated v.Lokesh Srivastava And Anr.
Time Incorporated, proprietor of the globally recognized magazine 'TIME', sued Lokesh Srivastava and others for infringing its trademark 'TIME' and slavishly imitating its distinctive red border cover design through their publication 'TIME ASIA SANSKARAN'. The court found that the defendants were deceptively similar to the plaintiff's mark and goodwill. Consequently, the court granted a permanent injunction, ordered rendition of accounts, and awarded damages.
Rajapalayam Industrial And Commercial v.P. Iya Nadar Charitable Trust
The petitioner sought expunction (rectification) of the registered trade marks 'CAMEL' (Nos. 109120 and 439372), arguing that their registration in favour of the respondent charitable trust violated Section 6(2) of the Act, and that the mark had suffered dilution due to widespread use by family members. The respondent defended its right to maintain the mark.
United Brothers v.Aziz Ulchani And Anr.
The petitioner sought the removal (rectification) of the respondent's trade mark 'UNITED' from the Register, claiming that it infringed upon their common law rights and registered trademarks for household utensils. The respondent argued that the marks were used for different classes of goods and that the word 'UNITED' was descriptive and common usage. The Board ultimately dismissed the petition.
Majid A. Oomerbhoy v.Rashi S. Oomerbhoy And Ors.
This contempt petition was filed by Majid A. Oomerbhoy against Rashi S. Oomerbhoy and others, alleging that they violated a prior court order dated July 30, 2001, which prohibited partners of M/s Ahmed Omerbhoy from using the firm's trade marks (MASTAAN and POSTMAN). The petitioner claimed the respondents continued manufacturing and distributing products under similar names. However, the Court ultimately found that there was insufficient certainty to prove willful contempt beyond a reasonable doubt, noting that the infringement suit itself was still pending.
Brihan Maharashtra Sugar Syndicate v.Meher Distilleries Pvt. Ltd.
The appellant challenged a trial court judgment that granted permanent injunctions in favor of the respondents regarding the alleged infringement of their copyrighted artistic label, 'PRINCE SANTRA', by using similar labels like 'No. 1 TANGO SANTRA'. The Bombay High Court heard an application for interim stay of the decree.
International Standards Certification (South Asia) Pvt. Ltd. v.International Standards Certifications Pty. Ltd.
This appeal before the Bombay High Court addressed a dispute over the use of the phrase 'International Standards Certifications.' The core issue was whether the Indian entity, Appellant No. 1 (a joint venture), was passing off its services as those provided by Respondent No. 1, an Australian company. The court upheld the lower court's order restraining the appellants from using the specific name and logo, finding that the reputation acquired did not automatically transfer to the original rights holder.
S.P.S. Jayam And Co. v.The Registrar, Tamilnadu Taxation
This case addressed whether payments received by S.P.S. Jayam And Co. for allowing Tvl.Muthu Agencies to use their trademarks constituted royalty or sale consideration under the Sales Tax Act. The petitioner argued it was merely a temporary right to enjoy the mark, exempting the payment from tax. However, the Madras High Court held that since the permission granted was unrestricted for a period, it amounted to a transfer of an intangible property right—the trademark—which falls within the wide definition of 'goods' and is therefore taxable.
Bpl Refrigeration Limited v.Asst. Commissioner Of Income Tax
The assessee, Bpl Refrigeration Limited (part of the BPL Group), paid Rs. 6 crores to M/s. BPL Limited for the right to use the registered trade mark "BPL" for ten years. The Assessing Officer and CIT(A) held that this was a sham transaction designed for tax avoidance and disallowed the expense. The Tribunal ruled in favor of the assessee, finding that the payment was legitimate revenue expenditure.
Bpl Refrigeration Ltd. v.Assistant Commissioner Of Income Tax
The assessee, Bpl Refrigeration Ltd., paid Rs. 6 crores to M/s BPL Ltd. for the right to use the registered trademark "BPL" for ten years. The Assessing Officer and CIT(A) held that this transaction was a sham designed for tax avoidance and disallowed the expenditure. The Tribunal ruled that since the payment was not an outright purchase but a limited-period license, it constituted admissible revenue expenditure.
J. Prasad Polymers v.Commissioner Of Central Excise
The dispute involved whether J. Prasad Polymers, a small-scale manufacturer of shoes, could avail the benefit of SSI exemption when their products bore the name 'Sundar', which was claimed by M/s. Sada Ram & Sons (SRS). The Tribunal found that SRS failed to prove 'Sundar' was registered as a brand name under the Trade Marks Act, and since J. Prasad Polymers used various names alongside 'Sundar' on their own goods, they were allowed the exemption.
Icc Development (International) Ltd. v.Ever Green Service Station And Anr.
ICC Development (International) Ltd. filed a suit seeking an injunction against Ever Green Service Station and others, alleging that they were misappropriating the commercial identity and intellectual property of the 'ICC Cricket World Cup South Africa 2003'. The plaintiff claimed exclusive rights over the event's trade name, logo, and associated publicity value. However, the court found that the defendants had paid for travel packages through authorized agents, leading to a mixed outcome where the initial injunction was modified to restrict only the use of the specific Zebra-striped logo.
Jagadamba Fiscal Services Pvt. Ltd. v.Birla Corporation Ltd. And Anr.
This appeal before the Calcutta High Court challenged an interim order granted by a lower court in a passing-off suit concerning cement products. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant was deceptively using the trademark 'Durgapur Cement' and similar trade dress to pass off its goods as those of the petitioner. However, the appellate bench set aside the interim injunction, finding that the initial order failed to consider established legal factors for passing off actions and did not allow the appellant a proper opportunity to present its defense.
Ultra Filter (India) Pvt. Ltd. v.Commissioner Of C. Ex.
The appellant company was denied a tax benefit (Notification No. 175/86) because it used the brand name 'Ultra Filter' and affixing 'Ultra Filter Made in India', which the Commissioner argued linked them to M/s Ultra Filter GMBH, Germany, for duty evasion. The Tribunal set aside the order and remanded the matter back to the Adjudicator to determine the ownership of the mark 'ultra filter' before deciding on the tax benefit.
Minor Kalimuthu v.V.K. Arumugham And Ors.
The minor appellant claimed joint ownership of registered trademarks used in the 'Sun Beedi Traders' business, arguing that the respondents were using them illegally. The respondents contested this claim, asserting the marks belonged to the partnership firm and not the heirs individually. The court ultimately dismissed the appeal, finding that the balance of convenience did not favor granting an interim injunction pending the final determination of ownership in other suits.
Three-N-Products Pvt. Ltd. v.Yashwant And Ors.
The plaintiff, Three-N-Products Pvt. Ltd., sought an ad interim injunction against the defendants for passing off their footwear under the mark v;wj as those of the plaintiff, who owns the renowned trade mark AYUR and associated artistic work. The court found that despite the lack of specific registration in Class 25, the use of the similar mark and imitation of the artistic work amounted to passing off, thus granting the interim injunction.
The Gillette Company v.A.K. Stationery
The Gillette Company filed a suit seeking permanent injunction and damages against A.K. Stationery and others for alleged infringement of its trade mark 'FLEXGRIP' in connection with writing instruments. The dispute centered on the defendants using similar marks like 'EKCO FLEXGRIP'.
S.S. Associate v.M.S. Associate
The court examined whether a Letters Patent Appeal was maintainable against an order passed by a Single Judge in a Misc. First Appeal concerning relief under the Trade and Merchandise Marks Act, 1958. The judgment reiterated established Apex Court precedents that Section 104(2) of the CPC prohibits further appeal from such orders. Consequently, the Letters Patent Appeals were dismissed as not maintainable.
The Commissioner Of Central Excise v.Gomukhi Charma Kendra And Ors.
The case involved disputes regarding excise duty demands against Gomukhi Charma Kendra and Southern Sulphates and Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. for using the brand name 'Gaitonde' on manufactured goods. The Tribunal set aside the impugned orders and remanded both appeals for de novo consideration, emphasizing that the Revenue must clearly demonstrate a connection between the trade names and prove intent to evade duty.
Haji Latif Gani Kachhi v.Sangishetty Ramulu
The appeal was filed by the appellant (registered proprietor of marks related to Goddess Lakshmi) challenging the Assistant Registrar's decision allowing the registration of a new trade mark ('Laxmi Ganesh Beedi') for beedies. The appellant argued that the new mark was deceptively similar and infringed upon their existing rights. However, the court found that the composite nature and different postures (standing vs sitting) made the marks easily distinguishable.
Whirlpool Corporation v.Registrar Of Trade Marks, Mumbai & Ors.
Whirlpool Corporation challenged a show-cause notice issued by the Registrar regarding the cancellation of its 'WHIRLPOOL' Trade Mark registration. The core dispute centered on whether the Registrar had jurisdiction to issue such a notice when related proceedings, including a passing-off suit and rectification petitions, were pending before the Delhi High Court. The Supreme Court ruled that due to the pendency of these matters in the High Court, the Registrar could not legally act as the 'Tribunal' under Section 56(4), allowing the appeal.
Whirlpool Corporation v.Registrar Of Trade Marks, Mumbai & Ors.
Whirlpool Corporation challenged a show-cause notice issued by the Registrar of Trade Marks regarding the cancellation of its Trade Mark registration. The core dispute centered on whether the Registrar had jurisdiction to initiate such action when related legal proceedings, including rectification petitions and passing off suits, were pending before the Delhi High Court.
Baker Hughes Limited v.Hiroo Khushalani
Baker Hughes Limited and its affiliates sought a temporary injunction to prevent Hiroo Khushalani and Baker Oil Tools (India) Private Limited from using the trademark 'BAKER' in their corporate name. The dispute arose from complex historical agreements related to a joint venture for manufacturing oil field equipment. The court found that the plaintiffs had established a strong prima facie case, overriding defenses of acquiescence and laches.
Manipal Housing Finance Syndicate Ltd. v.Manipal Stock And Share Brokers Ltd.
This case involved multiple plaintiffs, primarily finance and industrial entities associated with the Pai family, seeking injunctions against defendants who used the term 'Manipal' or referred to themselves as part of the 'Manipal group'. The core dispute centered on whether the name 'Manipal' had acquired a secondary meaning that exclusively identified the plaintiff companies. The court examined the history of the Pai family enterprises and concluded that 'Manipal group' referred broadly to the entire collection of businesses founded by the Pai family, not just the plaintiffs.
Vishnudas Trading As Vishnudas v.The Vazir Sultan Tobaccoco. Ltd.
The dispute concerned the validity of Trade Mark registrations held by The Vazir Sultan Tobaccoco. Ltd. for 'Charminar' under Class 34 ('manufactured tobacco'). The appellant, Vishnu Das Trading as Vishnudas, sought registration for similar goods (quiwam and zarda) using the same mark. The Supreme Court upheld the rectification order that limited the respondent's trademark to cigarettes, ruling that specific articles can be registered within a class.
Kirloskar Proprietary Ltd. v.Kirloskar Diesel Recon Pvt. Ltd.
This appeal before the Bombay High Court addressed applications for interim injunctions filed by members of the Kirloskar Group against other entities. The core dispute revolved around the unauthorized use of the word 'Kirloskar' in corporate names and trading styles. The court upheld the lower court's order, finding that the appellants were likely to deceive or confuse the public by adopting the name without proper affiliation with the established group.
Kirloskar Proprietary Ltd. v.Kirloskar Diesel Recon Pvt. Ltd.
The dispute involved multiple civil suits filed by Kirloskar Proprietary Ltd. (respondent/plaintiff) against various companies (appellants/defendants). The core issue was whether the appellants, despite not belonging to the 'Kirloskar Group of Companies', could use the word 'Kirloskar' in their corporate names and trading styles without infringing on the goodwill and reputation established by Kirloskar Proprietary Ltd. The Bombay High Court upheld the interim injunction, finding a likelihood of deception or confusion.
M/S. Jindal Industries Ltd. v.M/S. Nirmal Steel Tubes Pvt. Ltd.
This case involved a dispute over deceptively similar trade marks, where the plaintiff had previously obtained an ex parte injunction against the defendant. The court reviewed the matter, noting that Section 28 of the Trade and Merchandise Marks Act grants exclusive rights to registered mark owners.
M.K. Agarwal And Anr. v.Union Of India And Ors.
This Delhi High Court judgment addressed petitions challenging the registration of foreign newspaper titles as trademarks. The core issue revolved around whether existing registrations under the Press & Registration of Books Act, 1867, should prevent trademark registration by the Registrar of Trade Marks. The court ultimately dismissed the petitions, finding no merit in the petitioners' claims and questioning their locus standi to challenge government policy.
Dhinamalar v.Daily Thanthi
Dhinamalar, a major Tamil daily, sued Daily Thanthi for infringing its mark and passing off its children's magazine supplement, 'Siruvar Malar'. The dispute centered on whether the use of this name by the competitor constituted an exclusive proprietary right or merely a common descriptive term.
Indian Institute Of Human Resources Development v.National Institute Of Human Resources Development
This case addressed a claim of passing off where the plaintiff, 'National Institute of Human Resources Development,' sought to restrain the defendant, 'Indian Institute of Human Resources Development.' The court found that despite minor differences in prefixes ('National' vs. 'Indian'), the similarity between the trade names was striking enough to cause confusion among the public. Furthermore, the court noted that the respondent had allegedly copied the plaintiff's activities and study materials while being employed as a legal adviser.
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