IP Cases — 2014
111 decisions across all jurisdictions
Page 4 of 4 · 111 total
M/S.Grp Dairy Food Pvt. Ltd. v.S.Sudhakar
The Madras High Court resolved a dispute between M/S.Grp Dairy Food Pvt. Ltd. and S.Sudhakar concerning the trademarks 'Udhayam' and 'GRB Udhayam'. The parties reached an amicable settlement through mediation, resulting in a Memorandum of Compromise. Consequently, the court disposed of the writ petitions by allowing the trademark registrations to continue, provided certain conditions outlined in the compromise are incorporated into the registry.
M/S Radico Khaitan Limited v.M/S Brima Sagar Maharashtra Distilleries Ltd
M/S Radico Khaitan Limited filed a suit against M/S Brima Sagar Maharashtra Distilleries Ltd alleging infringement of several trademarks related to alcoholic beverages. The court addressed multiple interim applications, including those seeking liberty to sue for other unregistered marks and enlargement of time. Ultimately, the court partly allowed the applications, granting an interim injunction that restricts the Defendant from using identical or deceptively similar labels for specific products while permitting the use of generic terms without the protected prefix.
Manmohan Plastic Pvt. Ltd. v.Ganpati Plastic Industries & Anr
The Delhi High Court addressed an interlocutory application seeking injunctive relief regarding the use of the 'MONICA' trademark. The court found that despite the petitioner holding a registered mark ('MONICA GOLD'), the respondents could demonstrate prior and continuous user of similar marks ('MONIKA') dating back to 1986, predating the plaintiff's claimed usage date. Consequently, the court declined to grant an injunction but mandated the defendants to maintain and submit quarterly sales accounts for all products sold under the disputed trademark.
Sushma Berlia & Ors. v.Kamal Kumar & Ors.
The Delhi High Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, who owned the registered trademark 'APEEJAY' used by an educational society. The suit was filed against a parents' association that had adopted the same name. The court held that even though the defendants were non-trading and non-profit, their use of the mark created a likelihood of public confusion, suggesting patronage or affiliation with the plaintiffs' school. Consequently, the court granted a permanent injunction preventing the unauthorized use of 'APEEJAY' by the association.
Amultek Software Solutions Pvt Ltd v.Kaira District Co-Operative Milk Producers Union Ltd
The Gujarat High Court addressed a challenge to an interim order preventing Amultek Software Solutions from using the name 'Amultek' due to trademark concerns raised by Kaira District Co-Operative Milk Producers Union Ltd. The court allowed the application filed by Amultek, permitting them to temporarily change their name to Atek Software Solutions Pvt Ltd while reserving their right to contest the underlying infringement claims in the main appeal. This decision allows the litigation to proceed toward a final determination of trademark rights.
Brihan Karan Sugar Syndicate Private Limited v.South Konkan Distilleries
The Plaintiff, holding a registered trademark 'TANGO PUNCH', filed suit alleging that the Defendant was manufacturing and selling country liquor in bottles embossed with the Plaintiff's trade mark. The Plaintiff claimed this constituted infringement and passing off. The Court found that the Defendant's use fell squarely within Section 29(3) of the Act, leading to the grant of injunctions.
Fdc Ltd. v.Union Of India
FDC Ltd. challenged an order passed by the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) which had set aside the Assistant Controller's initial ruling against the petitioner regarding the revocation of Indian Patent No.197822. The core dispute centered on whether IPAB should have decided the merits or remanded the matter, and specifically, whether directing a fresh Opposition Board was legally sound.
Sandeep Jaidka v.Mukesh Mittal & Anr.
Sandeep Jaidka filed a suit seeking permanent injunction against Mukesh Mittal & Anr. for infringing his registered patent (No. 231895) related to multi-sensory '4D' effects used in cinema halls. The plaintiff alleged that the defendants were willfully using his patented technology, which combines hardware and software to synchronize heating, cooling, and aromatic effects with movie scenes. While the plaintiff asserted infringement, Defendant No. 2 filed a counterclaim challenging the patent's validity based on prior art. The court denied the interim injunction but expedited the trial, setting conditions for the defendants regarding financial disclosures and security deposits.
M/S Manoj Selas And Locks v.The Bihar State Electricity Board
M/S Manoj Selas And Locks challenged an order that blacklisted them for two years and forfeited their Bank Guarantee after they were rejected from a tender. The dispute centered on whether the petitioner possessed a valid design certificate (Design No. 198589) required by the Board, which the Board disputed.
NRB Bearings Limited v.Windsor Export
The Delhi High Court granted an interim injunction in favor of NRB Bearings Limited against Windsor Export, finding that the latter was infringing on its trademark and goodwill through deceptive use of a similar domain name. The court held that the defendant's minor spelling variant ('nrbearing.com') was intentionally chosen to attract customers associated with the plaintiff's well-known mark 'NRB'. Given the prima facie case and the risk of irreparable confusion, the injunction was granted during the pendency of the suit.
Whirlpool Of India Ltd v.Videocon Industries Ltd
Whirlpool, a manufacturer of washing machines, sued Videocon Industries for infringing its two valid design registrations (Nos. 223833 and 223835) through the 'Videocon Pebble' brand, alleging that the Defendant's product was visually indistinguishable from theirs. The dispute also involved whether infringement or passing off actions could be maintained against a party who held a registered design.
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft v.The Controller General Of Patents, Designs and Trademarks & Anr.
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft appealed against an order passed by the Assistant Controller of Patents and Designs. The court found that the authority rendered the decision without granting the petitioner's representative a proper opportunity to clarify objections, despite the petitioner having requested accommodation for his absence. Consequently, the impugned decision was set aside and the matter was remanded for a de novo hearing.
Diageo Brands B. v.Khoday Breweries Ltd
Diageo Brands successfully secured an ad interim injunction against Khoday Breweries Ltd in a trademark infringement and passing off case. The Delhi High Court found that the defendants were using deceptively or confusingly similar marks, such as KHODEY BLACK & WHITE and VAT 999, which infringed upon Diageo's globally recognized portfolio of alcohol brands like Johnnie Walker and Guinness. This interim order prevents the defendants from continuing to use these infringing trademarks until the final outcome of the suit.
Novartis Ag And Ors. v.Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.
Novartis Ag filed a suit seeking permanent injunction against Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd., alleging infringement of Indian Patent No. 212815, which covers the compound Vildagliptin for treating Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The Plaintiffs claimed that despite no immediate launch by the Defendant, its listing of Vildagliptin as an API on its website posed a significant threat to their market share. Considering the potential infringement and the balance of convenience, the Delhi High Court granted an ad-interim injunction restraining Ranbaxy from manufacturing or selling products containing Vildagliptin.
Pathiath Babu Rajendran Since Deceased v.Asst. Registrar Of Trade Marks & 2
The appeals challenged the orders of the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) which directed the removal of four registered trade marks belonging to the appellant. The appellant argued that it was denied a proper hearing and that the proceedings were improperly handled after transfer under Section 100 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999. The High Court dismissed the appeals, upholding the IPAB's finding that the appellant had waived its right due to deliberate inaction.
Sahajanand Technologies Private Limited v.Regional Director - North Western Region - Ministry of Corporate Affairs
This Gujarat High Court order addressed a challenge to the Regional Director's decision, which had previously rejected an application under Section 22 of the Companies Act. The core dispute involved whether pending trademark proceedings should prevent the approval of a company name ('Sahajanand Laser Technology Private Limited'). The court admitted the appeal, recognizing that the distinct legal nature of the Companies Act application does not automatically render it sub-judice to ongoing trademark disputes.
General Electric Co. v.Controller Of Patents Designs
General Electric Co. filed an appeal regarding TMA No. 4 of 1999 before the Calcutta High Court. The petitioner argued that the appeal should be transferred to the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) due to amendments in the Trade Mark Act, 1999.
NTT DoCoMo Inc. v.The Assistant Controller of Patents and Designs, The Patent Office; The Controller of Patents, The Patent Office; The Union of India
NTT DoCoMo Inc. challenged the refusal by the Assistant Controller of Patents and Designs to revive its Patent Application No.4851/CHENP/2007. The application was mistakenly withdrawn due to a clerical error committed by the petitioner's erstwhile patent attorneys, who interchanged the numbers of two related applications. The court allowed the petition, holding that the petitioner was an innocent party and should not suffer injustice.
Radhe Krishna Products - A Partnership Firm v.Parshottambhai Dharamshibhai Lunagriya
This petition challenged a trial court's order rejecting the petitioners' application under Order VII Rule 11 of the CPC, which argued that the respondent's second civil suit was not maintainable. The petitioners claimed that since the respondent had previously restricted their claims to copyright infringement after filing an initial suit alleging both copyright and passing off, they could not file a subsequent suit for similar relief. The High Court ultimately upheld the trial court's decision, finding no fault in the impugned order.
Bayer Corporation v.Union of India Through The Secretary; The Controller of Patents; Natco Pharma Limited
Bayer Corporation challenged the order by the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) which upheld the Controller's decision to grant a Compulsory License to Natco Pharma Limited. The license was granted for Bayer's patented drug, Sorafenib Tosylate (Nexavar), used in treating various cancers.
Nippon Soda Co. Ltd. v.V.P. Goyal And Anr
The Delhi High Court allowed a stay application filed by Nippon Soda Co. Ltd., restraining further proceedings in its trademark infringement suit against V.P. Goyal And Anr. The court ruled that Section 124(1)(i) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 applies whenever rectification proceedings are pending, regardless of whether those proceedings were initiated before or after the main suit was filed. Furthermore, while the stay does not apply to claims of passing off, the court maintained that the relief against passing off must be decided concurrently with infringement.
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