IP Cases — 2015
134 decisions across all jurisdictions
Page 2 of 5 · 134 total
Midas Hygiene Industries Pvt. Ltd. v.Sudhir Bhatia
Midas Hygiene Industries challenged the Copyright Board's order that cancelled its copyright registrations for packaging material used on insecticide chalks. The core dispute revolved around whether the artistic work, when applied to a product, qualified as a 'design' under the Designs Act, thereby triggering the automatic cessation of copyright under Section 15(2) of the Copyright Act. Midas argued that the label was merely an artistic work and not a design in the statutory sense. The Delhi High Court set aside the Board's finding regarding Section 15(2), but remanded the matter for fresh consideration on issues of originality, locus standi, and limitation.
Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation Ltd. v.Ankit Gupta
The plaintiff, Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation Ltd., filed a suit alleging that the defendant was operating a business using brand names ('Delhi Haat Mall' and 'New Delhi Haat') deceptively similar to the plaintiff's registered trademark 'Dilli Haat'. The court found that the defendant's use constituted unfair competition and infringement, leading to the decree of permanent injunction and damages.
Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson v.Intex Technologies (India) Limited
Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson filed a suit seeking permanent injunction and damages against Intex Technologies (India) Limited for infringing eight patents related to advanced telecommunication technologies, specifically AMR, 3G, and EDGE. The Delhi High Court addressed an interim application under Order XXXIX Rule 1 and 2 CPC. The court granted several stringent interim orders, including restraining the defendant from manufacturing or selling infringing devices and directing Customs authorities not to allow the import of such products.
Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Co. v.Union Of India And Anr
The petitioners challenged an order by the Registrar of PPVFR Authority which held that parent lines of known hybrid varieties could not be registered as 'new' plant varieties. The core issue was whether these parent lines retained novelty despite the commercial use and sale of resulting hybrid seeds.
Eicher Goodearth Pvt Ltd v.Krishna Mehta & Ors
Eicher Goodearth Pvt Ltd filed a suit seeking permanent injunction against Krishna Mehta & Ors, alleging that the defendants were illegally imitating and selling products featuring motifs and designs similar to those owned by Eicher Goodearth. The plaintiff claimed ownership of various designer collections like Serai and Falcon, asserting their rights under copyright and design laws. The court examined the similarity between the parties' products and the alleged deceptive use of intellectual property.
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation v.Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation filed a suit against Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd., alleging infringement of its Indian Patent No. 209816, which covers Sitagliptin, a key drug for Type II diabetes. The plaintiffs sought a permanent injunction to prevent the defendant from manufacturing and selling generic versions like Sitagliptin Phosphate Monohydrate under brands such as ZITA. The court found that the defendant's actions constituted infringement of the plaintiff's patent rights.
Ctr Manufacturing Industries Ltd v.Sergi Transformer Explosion Prevention Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
CTR Manufacturing Industries Ltd filed an action alleging that Sergi Transformer Explosion Prevention Technologies Pvt. Ltd.'s SERGI 3000 infringes upon CTR's Indian Patent No. 202302, which covers explosion and fire detection technology for electrical transformers. Sergi denies infringement, claiming its product uses different technology, and also challenges the validity of CTR's patent based on prior art.
Bestochem Formulations(I) Limited v.Mr.Nitin Blaggan & Ors.
In a significant resolution, Bestochem Formulations(I) Limited successfully concluded its dispute against Mr. Nitin Blaggan & Ors. by reaching an amicable out-of-court settlement. The Delhi High Court decreed the suit based on this agreement, which confirmed that Bestochem is the rightful owner of the trademark 'FLUWEL' for pharmaceutical preparations. In exchange for this confirmation, the plaintiff agreed to forgo claims for damages and costs, bringing a long-pending infringement case to a definitive close.
Jyoti Kapoor v.Kunal Kohli
The Plaintiffs, claiming to be the author and first owner of the copyright in the original screenplay 'R.S.V.P', filed suit alleging infringement of copyright and breach of confidence against the Defendants for producing a film titled 'Phir Se' using their script without consent. The court found that the Plaintiffs had a strong case and granted an ad-interim injunction to prevent the release of 'Phir Se'.
Laxmi Snacks Pvt Ltd v.Akshar Food Products
Laxmi Snacks Pvt Ltd challenged Akshar Food Products for allegedly copying its distinctive packaging design, getup, and style used for ready-to-eat Namkeen products like Ratlami Sev. The appellant claimed their unique visual identity, including color scheme and mascot, was infringed upon by the respondent's similar product presentation. While the court acknowledged the claims of infringement based on trade dress, it ultimately dismissed the appeals, directing the respondent to provide sales records for further scrutiny.
Sergi Transformer Explosion Prevention Technologies Private Limited v.Ctr Manufacturing Industries Limited
The suit was filed by Sergi Transformer Explosion Prevention Technologies Private Limited against Ctr Manufacturing Industries Limited seeking permanent injunction and damages for infringing Indian Patent No. 189089 related to transformer explosion prevention. The defendant challenged the plaintiff's standing, arguing that their exclusive license agreement was unregistered and therefore invalid under Section 109 of the Patents Act, 1970.
M/s. Innovativ Dezines v.M/s. Wooltop Design Private Limited
M/s. Innovativ Dezines appealed a previous order and decree regarding a suit against M/s. Wooltop Design Private Limited. The appellant sought to set aside the earlier judgment. Ultimately, the senior counsel for the appellant agreed to withdraw the appeal with liberty to raise all pleas on merits in the written statement.
Jasper Motors Private Ltd. v.The Proprietor, Basantee Battery Operated Rickshaw & Ors.
The plaintiffs, holding a patent for an eco-friendly, battery-operated rickshaw design, alleged that the defendants were illegally importing, exporting, and selling the patented idea. Despite the lack of representation from the defendants, the court found them liable for infringing the patent.
Inception Media LLP v.Star India Pvt. Ltd.
The Plaintiff, Inception Media LLP, filed a Notice of Motion alleging copyright infringement and breach of confidentiality against Star India Pvt. Ltd., claiming ownership over a concept note for a TV serial titled "Ye Tera Ghar Ye Mera Ghar". The Plaintiff asserted that this confidential material was disclosed to Star India, which subsequently produced a similar promotional video. However, the Court dismissed the motion, finding that the Plaintiff failed to establish a prima facie case regarding copyright and confidentiality.
Mw Eat Ltd v.New Masala Zone & Anr
The Delhi High Court decreed a suit filed by Mw Eat Ltd against New Masala Zone & Anr, resolving a dispute over trademark infringement. Although the parties had reached an out-of-court settlement where the defendants agreed to cease using their name, the court formally granted the decree. The judgment specifically restrained the defendants from using 'New Masala Zone' or any deceptively similar mark in relation to restaurants and hospitality services, thereby protecting the plaintiff's trademark 'MASALA ZONE'.
Bharat Balar v.Rajendra Distributors
The appeal concerned a suit filed by Bharat Balar alleging infringement of their registered design and passing off against Rajendra Distributors. The court facilitated an agreement between both parties to expedite the trial process and set aside certain adverse observations made in a previous common order.
Retail Royalty Company v.Pantaloons Fashion & Retail Limited
The Delhi High Court partially allowed the appeal concerning trademark infringement between Retail Royalty Company and Pantaloons Fashion & Retail Limited. While the court found that the word marks ('AMERICAN EAGLE' vs 'URBAN EAGLE') were not deceptively similar, preventing a full injunction on the name, it did find that the associated 'Eagle Devices' were deceptively similar. Consequently, the respondents were restrained from using the infringing devices and limited to using only the mark 'URBAN EAGLE', without adding qualifiers like 'AUTHENTIC'.
Shoppers Stop Ltd v.Shoppers Shop
In a landmark decision, the Delhi High Court decreed a trademark infringement suit between Shoppers Stop Ltd and Shoppers Shop following a successful mediation process. The parties reached a comprehensive settlement where the defendant acknowledged Shoppers Stop's exclusive ownership of the 'SHOPPERS STOP' trademark and 'SS LOGO'. As part of the agreement, the defendant agreed to cease using the marks and pay a sum of Rs. 6.00 lacs to the plaintiff.
Microsoft Corporation & Anr v.Piyush Somani & Anr
In a significant settlement order, the Delhi High Court allowed Microsoft Corporation to secure its intellectual property rights against Piyush Somani. The parties reached an out-of-court agreement where the defendants formally recognized Microsoft as the proprietor of the 'MICROSOFT' trademark. Furthermore, the court directed NIXI to facilitate the transfer of the domain name www.microsoft.co.in to Microsoft, effectively resolving a complex dispute involving both trademark infringement and cybersquatting.
The Royal Bank Of Scotland Group Plc v.Sharekhand Limited
The Delhi High Court formally accepted a settlement agreement reached between The Royal Bank Of Scotland Group Plc and Sharekhand Limited. The core dispute involved the alleged infringement of the trademark 'MAXTRAD'. Under the settlement, the defendant acknowledged the plaintiff's exclusive rights and agreed not to use the deceptively similar mark 'MAXTRADE'. Consequently, the court decreed the suit based on these terms, concluding the litigation.
Shilpa Medicare Limited v.Bristol-Myers Squibb Company And Ors.
This appeal involved Shilpa Medicare Limited challenging the rejection of its application to dismiss a patent infringement suit filed by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. The core dispute centered on whether the court had territorial jurisdiction, given that Shilpa's manufacturing unit was located outside Delhi. Bristol-Myers argued that the threat of infringing products being sold or offered for sale in Delhi, through generic partners like Natco, established sufficient cause of action within the court's jurisdiction. The High Court upheld the original order, finding no infirmity with the jurisdictional ruling.
Wipro Enterprises Limited v.Heinz India Pvt. Ltd.
Wipro Enterprises Limited sought an interim injunction against Heinz India Pvt. Ltd., alleging trademark and tag line infringement regarding their glucose-based energy products. Wipro claimed that the defendant's use of 'VOLT' and similar tag lines was a deliberate attempt to trade on its goodwill associated with 'BOLTS.' However, the Madras High Court dismissed all applications for interim injunction, finding that Wipro had not established a prima facie case at this stage. The court held that the issue of protecting descriptive taglines like 'ANYTIME ANYWHERE' requires extensive evidence and must be decided during the full trial.
Sap Aktiengesellschaft v.M/S Appsone Consulting India (P) Ltd.
Sap Aktiengesellschaft filed a suit seeking permanent injunction and damages against M/S Appsone Consulting India for infringing its copyrights. The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants were illegally providing training programs using their proprietary SAP ERP software modules without authorization, despite having specific license agreements in place. The court found the defendants liable for unauthorized use and granted the plaintiffs permanent injunction along with punitive damages.
Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Co. v.Union Of India And Anr
The petitioners challenged an order by the Registrar, PPVFR Authority, which held that parent lines of known hybrid varieties could not be registered as 'new' plant varieties. The core issue was whether these parent lines retained novelty despite the commercial use and sale of resulting hybrid seeds.
M/s.Mahavir Home Appliances v.The Intellectual Property Appellate Board; The Registrar of Trade Marks; Rallifan Limited
The Madras High Court allowed a writ petition filed by M/s.Mahavir Home Appliances, setting aside an adverse order passed by the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB). The core issue revolved around the validity of associated trademarks related to the 'RALLY' mark. A new affidavit submitted by the Registrar of Trade Marks contradicted the IPAB's finding that the marks had lapsed, thereby supporting the petitioner's claim. Consequently, the High Court remitted the matter back to the IPAB for fresh consideration based on the corrected factual position.
M/S Bilcare Limited v.M/S Associated Capsules Private Ltd.
The plaintiff filed a trademark suit (TM-75/2011) against the defendant. The defendant subsequently filed an application under Section 151 of the CPC seeking to recall previous orders, primarily to cross-examine the plaintiff's witness. The court dismissed this application, finding it devoid of merits and intended for dilatory tactics.
M/s Kay Cee Exports v.Nentex Woollens
The petitioner filed a civil revision challenging an order that dismissed the defendant's application for rejection of the plaint. The defendant argued that the court lacked jurisdiction as the suit was barred under the Copyright Act, Design Act, and Patents Act. The High Court found no relief under these Acts was explicitly claimed in the plaint, thus upholding the lower court's orders.
Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Co. v.Union Of India And Anr
The petitioners challenged an order by the Registrar, PVPFR Authority, which held that parent lines of known hybrid varieties could not be registered as new plant varieties. The core issue was whether the parent lines remain novel if their material is used to produce a distinct hybrid variety.
Merck Sharp And Dohme Corporation v.Glenmark Pharmaceuticals
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation appealed the dismissal of its application for an ad interim injunction against Glenmark Pharmaceuticals regarding the patented drug Sitagliptin. MSD alleged that Glenmark's products, marketed as Zita and Zitamet, infringed upon its patent (Indian Patent No. 209816), which covers a key molecule used to treat Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The Delhi High Court allowed the appeal, granting an interim injunction in favor of MSD, thereby restraining Glenmark from further selling or distributing the infringing products while the main suit proceeds.
Indian Performing Rights Society Ltd. v.Sanjay Dalia & Anr.
The dispute concerned the proper territorial jurisdiction for filing a suit related to copyright infringement. The appellant (IPRS Ltd.) argued that Section 62 of the Copyright Act conferred a right to file a suit where it carries on business, regardless of the cause of action's location. The Supreme Court ultimately held that while a plaintiff can sue where they carry on business, if the cause of action also arises there, they must file in that place, dismissing the appeals.
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