IP Cases — 2016
136 decisions across all jurisdictions
Page 3 of 5 · 136 total
Ctr Manufacturing Industries Ltd. v.Sergi Transformer Explosion Prevention Technologies Private Limited
The petitioner, CTR Manufacturing Industries Ltd., filed four Notices of Motion alleging that the respondent, Sergi Transformer Explosion Prevention Technologies Private Limited, was repeatedly breaching prior restraint orders related to a patent infringement suit. The judgment addressed these 'contempt motions,' noting they were tied to an ongoing appeal regarding the original infringement finding.
Novartis Ag v.Atoz Pharmaceuticals Pvtltd
Novartis Ag filed a civil suit seeking a permanent injunction and damages against Atoz Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd and Zota Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd for alleged infringement of its Indian Patent No. 212815 concerning Vildagliptin API/formulations. The court noted that the defendant had cancelled the product 'VILDAPIN-50' as requested by them, leading to the plaintiffs withdrawing most reliefs.
Mr. Subramanian Venkataraman v.Precision Automation and Robotics India Limited
The plaintiffs filed a suit seeking permanent and mandatory injunction, along with damages, against the defendants for infringing their patent (No. 224911) related to multilevel car parking. The parties subsequently filed a joint withdrawal memo.
Gurnam Singh Trading As M/S G. C. Laboratories v.M/S Little Profit Trading Company
The Delhi High Court formally accepted an out-of-court settlement between the trademark proprietor, Gurnam Singh Trading As M/S G. C. Laboratories, and M/S Little Profit Trading Company. The defendant acknowledged the plaintiff's exclusive rights to the 'BLUE HEAVEN' trademark and agreed to pay Rs. 3.00 lacs as damages. Furthermore, the defendant committed to surrendering all rights in the infringing mark and disposing of existing stock by a specified date, leading to the suit being decreed based on these terms.
Genentech Inc And Others v.Drugs Controller General Of India And Others
Genentech Inc. and its affiliates filed suit against the Drugs Controller General of India and others, challenging the approval granted for TrastuRel, a purported biosimilar version of their drug Trastuzumab. The plaintiffs contended that TrastuRel had not undergone adequate testing as required under Indian law before being launched. The Delhi High Court issued an interim order, restraining the defendant from marketing the product without proper trials while setting conditions for future regulatory approval.
Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH v.Jagdale Industries Private Limited
Sanofi-Aventis challenged the registration of Jagdale Industries' trademark 'CALDALE,' arguing that it was deceptively similar to their own mark 'CARDACE.' The Madras High Court examined the phonetic similarity and potential for consumer confusion, especially given that both products are prescription medicines. Ultimately, the court found no remote possibility or slightest chance of confusion, dismissing Sanofi-Aventis' appeal and upholding the trademark registration.
M/S. Selvel Industries v.M/S. Om Plast (India)
The plaintiffs, M/S. Selvel Industries and M/S. Sears Industries, filed a Notice of Motion seeking interim relief in an infringement action against M/S. Om Plast (India). The dispute centered on whether the defendant's plastic container infringed upon the registered designs held by the plaintiffs. The court found that the defendant's product was deceptively similar to and infringed the plaintiffs' design.
M/S Saurabh Agrotech Private Limited v.Radhey Shyam Agencies
The Delhi High Court granted an interim injunction favoring M/S Saurabh Agrotech Private Limited, who is the registered proprietor of the 'ASHOKA' trademark. The plaintiff sought protection against defendants for alleged infringement, passing off, and copyright violation related to their edible oil products. Given that the plaintiff holds a valid registration and has established a strong prima facie case regarding market confusion, the court restrained the defendants from using the disputed mark pending the final outcome of the suit.
Polycon Industries Pvt. Ltd v.The Union Of India & Ors
The petitioner challenged an order directing it to change its name because the 4th respondent claimed ownership of the trade mark "POLYCON". The court quashed the impugned order, finding that the Regional Director improperly invoked retrospective powers under Section 22 of the Companies Act and failed to consider factors like different product classifications (Class 17 vs Class 19) and distinct geographical markets.
Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Pub) v.Xiaomi Technology & Ors
Ericsson sued Xiaomi for infringing several patents related to AMR, 3G, and EDGE technology used in mobile devices. The defendants filed an application seeking vacation of a prior interim injunction by alleging concealment of material facts. The court found that Ericsson failed to disclose its agreement with Qualcomm regarding CDMA applications, leading to the vacation of the interim order concerning two specific patents.
Yash Plastomet Pvt. Ltd. v.The Assistant Controller Of Patents & Designs & Anr.
Yash Plastomet Pvt. Ltd. appealed the dismissal of its application to cancel Design No. 187706 (a 'Container'). The appellant argued that the design was not new because it had been previously published in October 1997 and registered earlier. The High Court dismissed the appeal, upholding the Controller's order, finding no sufficient evidence of prior publication or novelty.
G.Senthil Kumar & Helikx Trust/Training Institute v.Helikx HR Training and Business Consulting LLP & Others
The Madras High Court addressed a Civil Revision Petition concerning the delay in disposing of an interim injunction application related to a trademark infringement suit. The petitioners had filed Original Suit No. 48 of 2016 alleging trademark infringement and sought a temporary injunction via I.A.No.66 of 2016. Recognizing the prolonged delays, the High Court issued a directive to the lower court to expedite the disposal of the application within two months.
Mr. Subramanian Venkataraman v.Precision Automation and Robotics India Limited
The plaintiffs filed a suit seeking permanent and mandatory injunctions, along with damages, against the defendants for infringing their patent (No. 224911) related to multilevel car parking. The parties subsequently filed a joint withdrawal memo before the court.
Qrg Enterprises & Anr. v.Hpl (India) Limited & Ors.
The Delhi High Court decreed a trademark dispute between Qrg Enterprises and HPL (India) Limited based on a comprehensive settlement agreement. The court upheld the plaintiffs' proprietary rights in the 'HAVELLS/HAVELL'S' mark, granting permanent injunctions against the defendants. Crucially, the judgment clarified that since the defendant's name change was mandated by the decree and not voluntary, they would not be bound by the proviso to Section 12(3) of the Companies Act, 2013, ensuring the settlement's enforceability.
M/s.TVS Motor Company Limited v.M/S.Bajaj Auto Limited
The applications were filed by Bajaj Auto Limited (the defendant) seeking to eschew various documents marked as exhibits in a suit where TVS Motor Company Limited (the plaintiff) claimed non-infringement of Patent No. 195904. The court held that most objections regarding document admissibility could be deferred until the time of final arguments, except for specific objections concerning photocopies and newspaper clippings.
S.K.Janimiya (M/s.Crescent Therapeutics Ltd.) v.Mr.Narender Pal; Deputy Registrar of Trade Marks; Intellectual Property Appellate Board
The Madras High Court allowed the writ petition filed by S.K.Janimiya challenging an adverse order from the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) regarding the trademark OLAPIN. While noting the petitioner's lackadaisical conduct and delay in presenting evidence, the court ultimately set aside the IPAB's finding that no documents were filed. The matter was remitted back to the IPAB for a fresh examination, allowing them to consider the records and take further evidence.
Bristol Myers Squibb Holdings Ireland v.Sanjay Jain
The plaintiffs, Bristol Myers Squibb Holdings Ireland and its subsidiary, filed a suit seeking permanent injunction and damages for the infringement of their patent (IN 203937) covering the anti-cancer molecule DASATINIB. The defendants were proceeded ex parte due to non-appearance in court.
Seven Towns Ltd v.M/S Kiddiland
Seven Towns Ltd, a global manufacturer of the Rubik's Cube, filed a suit against M/S Kiddiland alleging infringement of copyright and passing off. The plaintiffs claimed proprietary rights in the distinctive trade dress and artistic elements of their product's label and packaging. Despite initial challenges from the defendants regarding variations in detail, the Delhi High Court granted interim injunctions, finding that the plaintiffs had made a prima facie good case and that the balance of convenience lay in their favor.
M/s. SMC Pneumatics (India) Pvt. Ltd. v.Mr. S. Vezhavendhon
The plaintiff, a company manufacturing pneumatics components, sued its former Senior Sales Engineer for breach of employment terms, alleging competition and disclosure of trade secrets to a rival firm. The suit sought injunctions and damages of Rs. 5 lakhs.
Sanofi Aventis v.Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Sanofi Aventis filed a suit against Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd. alleging trademark infringement and passing off related to blood thinning medicines. The plaintiff sought permission to amend the plaint to reflect significantly increased damages, as the losses mounted over the seven years the suit was pending. The court allowed the amendment, emphasizing that procedural rules should not obstruct the cause of justice, especially when correcting valuation based on evolving market realities.
Ipeg Inc. v.Kay Bee Engineers
Ipeg Inc. appealed a trial court order that rejected its suit claiming copyright infringement against Kay Bee Engineers. The plaintiffs asserted ownership over the unique artistic drawings of their 'Loader/Receiver' machine, arguing that the defendants copied these works to manufacture similar products. However, the Gujarat High Court dismissed the appeal, upholding the lower court's decision. The court found that the appellants failed to establish a clear and genuine cause of action, particularly regarding the transfer of copyright ownership.
Research Foundation, Sci., Tech. & Eco. & Anr. v.Union of India & Ors.
The petitioners filed a writ petition seeking directions to the Union of India to challenge patents related to wheat in international forums, citing concerns over biodiversity protection and biopiracy. The court noted that the specific patent challenged had since been revoked by the European Patent Office.
Ritika Private Limited v.Biba Apparels Private Limited
Ritika Private Limited filed a suit against Biba Apparels Private Limited claiming infringement of copyright and violation of trade secrets related to its garment designs sold under the RITU KUMAR brand. The plaintiff asserted originality in its sketches and drawings, which were adapted for various garments. However, the court found that the suit was barred by Section 15(2) of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957, as the designs were capable of being registered under the Designs Act, 2000, but had not been so registered.
Wipro Enterprises Limited v.Heinz India Pvt., Ltd.
Wipro Enterprises Limited filed appeals against an order concerning the alleged infringement of its trademark rights. The dispute centered around Heinz India Pvt. Ltd.'s use of labels incorporating 'GLUCON-D VOLT' for their tangy orange flavoured glucose-based energy bites. The parties ultimately reached a compromise, leading to the disposal of the Original Side Appeals.
M/s Bharat Iron Foundry And Ors v.M/s Sadhu Singh & Sons Iron & Steel Rolling Mills
The Punjab-Haryana High Court overturned an interlocutory injunction that had restricted the defendants from manufacturing and marketing their products without 'collaboration' with the plaintiffs. The court found that the restrictive interpretation of the deed of assignment was unsustainable, especially given the parties' conduct over two decades where the mark was used independently. Consequently, the application for interim relief was rejected, allowing the appellants to continue their operations.
Chambal Fertilizers And Chemicals Ltd v.C.C.E., Jaipur I
The appellant, engaged in fertilizer manufacturing, was assessed service tax on agreements with foreign service providers for design and consultancy services. The Department argued these fell under IPR services. The Tribunal ruled that since the technical know-how and engineering designs were not recognized as IPR under any Indian law at the time of the agreement, there was no taxable IPR service.
Paulsons Beauty and Fashion Private Limited v.Sulthana Restaurant
The plaintiff, Paulsons Beauty and Fashion Private Limited, filed Original Applications seeking an interim injunction to restrain the respondent, Sulthana Restaurant, from passing off or infringing its registered trade mark 'SULTHAN'S BIRIYANI'. The defendant argued that the names were not deceptively similar, that they cater to different customer classes, and that the name 'SULTANA' is a common universal term. The Court dismissed the applications, finding no deceptive similarity and ruling in favor of the respondent.
M/s. INPHASE POWER TECHNOLOGIES PRIVATE LIMITED v.M/s. ABB INDIA LIMITED
The appeal was filed by the defendants (M/s Abb India Limited) challenging the trial court's order that allowed temporary injunctions against them regarding patent infringement and misappropriation of confidential information. The High Court upheld the lower courts' findings, dismissing the appeals.
Mankind Pharma Limited v.Sun Pharma Laboratories Limited
Mankind Pharma Limited challenged an order regarding territorial jurisdiction in its trademark infringement suit against Sun Pharma Laboratories Limited. The core dispute centered on whether the plaintiff could file the suit in Chennai, given that the defendant claimed no sales or office presence there. The Madras High Court ultimately dismissed the appeals, finding that the appellant's actions and disclosures indicated a sufficient connection to the local jurisdiction.
Telefonktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) v.Lava International Ltd
Telefonktiebolaget Lm Ericsson filed a suit seeking permanent injunction against Lava International Ltd for alleged infringement of its patented technologies. The core dispute revolved around Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) related to 2G, EDGE, and 3G telecommunications standards used in mobile devices. The court found prima facie evidence supporting the plaintiff's claim of infringement. Consequently, the Delhi High Court granted an interim injunction restraining Lava from manufacturing or selling the infringing products, while dismissing a counter-application filed by the defendant.
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