IP Cases — 2017
129 decisions across all jurisdictions
Page 4 of 5 · 129 total
M/s.Agsar Match Industries v.M/S.Edison Paints By Its
The Madras High Court confirmed a lower court's finding that M/S.Edison Paints was engaging in passing off by using a deceptively similar mark (Double Stag) for red oxide and colour oxide. The court emphasized that even if the products were technically different or had minor packaging variations, the similarity of the core trademark image—the stag—would lead the target audience (civil contractors/masons) to believe both products originated from the same company or sister concerns. This ruling strongly protects established goodwill against confusing imitation.
ITC Ltd v.Irinjalakuda Town Co-Operative Bank Ltd & Ors.
ITC Ltd filed a composite suit against Irinjalakuda Town Co-Operative Bank, alleging infringement and passing off due to the bank's use of 'ITC' as an abbreviation in its name. The respondents sought revocation of leave under Clause 12 of the Letters Patent, primarily arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction because no part of the cause of action arose within Calcutta. However, the High Court found that a true reading of the plaint showed the suit was maintainable and granted leave to proceed with both claims jointly.
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd v.Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt Ltd
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd filed a quia timet copyright infringement and passing off action against Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt Ltd, alleging that Sony illegally copied the format and concept of Zee's popular talent hunt show, 'India's Best Dramebaaz'. The court heard the Notice of Motion regarding the dispute.
Cello Household Products v.Modware India
Cello Household Products filed suit against Modware India alleging design infringement and passing off regarding their PURO brand plastic water bottle. Cello claimed its unique, registered design was illicitly copied by Modware's product, KUDOZ. The court addressed the prima facie case for interim relief.
Monsanto Technology Llc And Ors. v.Nuziveedu Seeds Limited & Ors.
Monsanto Technology LLC and its affiliates filed a suit against Nuziveedu Seeds Limited, alleging infringement of their intellectual property rights. The core dispute revolved around the defendants continuing to market and sell Genetically Modified Hybrid Cotton Planting Seeds despite the termination of sub-license agreements. Plaintiffs claimed violation of both registered patent (No. 214436) and trademarks (BOLLGARD/BOLLGARD II). The court, while addressing interim applications, issued directions mandating the defendants to tender or pay a trait fee, render detailed sales accounts, and comply with licensing guidelines.
Ajanta Pharma Ltd v.Uas Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd & Another
The Calcutta High Court ruled in favor of Ajanta Pharma Ltd in a case involving the trademark 'Sunstop' for sun-screen cream. The court found that Uas Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd had deliberately attempted to pass off its similar product as belonging to Ajanta, exploiting the plaintiff's established market reputation and substantial sales figures. Consequently, the court granted a decree restraining Defendant No. 1 from continuing this dishonest practice.
M/S Guruji Enterprises Pvt Ltd. v.Union Of India And Anr.
The Delhi High Court dismissed an appeal filed by M/S Guruji Enterprises Pvt Ltd. challenging the removal of its 'GURUJI' trademark. The core dispute centered on whether a mandatory prior notice (Form O-3) under Section 25(3) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, was properly served before the mark's cancellation. The Court upheld the Single Judge's finding that since the notice was sent by post and addressed to the proprietor, it was deemed legally served under Rule 15 of the Rules, thereby validating the removal.
Dy.CIT-LTU, Centre-1 v.Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.
The appeal challenged the Assessing Officer's disallowance of expenses incurred by TCS Ltd. on imported software due to non-deduction of TDS, arguing that the payment constituted 'royalty'. The Tribunal examined whether the purchase was for acquiring a copyrighted article or merely goods for trading purposes.
M/S. M. B. Exports Limited v.The Controller Of The Patents And Designs & Ors.
The petitioner, M/S. M. B. Exports Limited, approached the Calcutta High Court regarding an application for cancellation of Design No. 244214. The court directed the respondent (Controller) to produce all related proceedings within two weeks and adjourned the matter.
M/S. M. B. Exports Limited v.The Controller Of The Patents And Designs & Ors.
The petitioner, M/S. M. B. Exports Limited, filed a matter before the Calcutta High Court concerning an application for cancellation of Registered Design No. 244439. The court directed the respondent to produce the relevant proceedings and adjourned the matter.
M/S. M. B. Exports Limited v.The Controller Of The Patents And Designs & Ors.
The Calcutta High Court addressed an application concerning the cancellation of Registered Design No. 244215, which was filed by Jagdhir Sing, Proprietor of M/s. M.B. Machinery Corporation. The court directed the respondent to produce the relevant records within two weeks and adjourned the matter.
Som Distilleries And Breweries Ltd. v.The Controller Of Patents And Designs & Ors.
The Controller of Patents and Designs produced records regarding the application for cancellation of Design No. 223479 filed by Som Distilleries & Breweries Ltd. The court allowed both parties liberty to inspect the original records.
Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited v.Wockhardt Limited And Anr
The Bombay High Court addressed a Notice of Motion concerning an action in passing off brought by Torrent Pharmaceuticals against Wockhardt. The court analyzed the 'classical trinity' of passing off, focusing on misrepresentation and reputation. Ultimately, the judge found that Torrent failed to establish a prima facie case for passing off due to the long co-existence of the rival products without any demonstrated confusion or deception. Consequently, the interim injunction sought by Torrent was dismissed.
Intex Technologies (India) Ltd v.M/S Az Tech (India)
The Delhi High Court set aside an earlier single judge's order that had restrained Intex Technologies from using the mark 'AQUA' for mobile phones. The court found that the respondent, M/S Az Tech, failed to establish a prima facie case of passing off. Crucially, the court noted the dishonest conduct of Az Tech in copying Intex's logo font and style during the pendency of the suit, which disentitled them from obtaining an injunction.
Cipla Limited v.Novartis Ag & Anr
Cipla Limited appealed an injunction granted against it by the Delhi High Court, which restrained Cipla from using or manufacturing products containing INDACATEROL. The dispute centered on Novartis Ag & Anr's patent (No. 222346) for the drug INDACATEROL, marketed as ONBREZ. While Cipla argued that the respondents did not manufacture the drug in India and thus were not working the patent locally, the court upheld the injunction.
Bayer Corporation v.Union of India
The dispute centered on whether Natco Pharma Limited (Natco) and Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd. could export products covered by compulsory licenses, specifically SORAFENAT/SORAFENIB, for regulatory development purposes outside India. Bayer challenged these exports, arguing they infringed the patent or violated the terms of the Compulsory Licence. The court ultimately held that non-patentee companies cannot be deprived of exercising rights under Section 107A merely because a compulsory license was granted.
Bayer Corporation v.Union Of India & Ors
Bayer challenged Natco's (and Alembic's) exports of SORAFENIB/SORAFENAT, which were covered by a Compulsory Licence, arguing these exports infringed the patent. The core legal question was whether Section 107A allowed for such exports for regulatory purposes.
Shrijee Industries Through Proprietor v.Shree Laxmi Industries
The Gujarat High Court addressed a petition seeking to overturn an order that rejected a stay application in a trademark dispute involving the mark 'MARSHAL'. The Court quashed the impugned order, finding merit in the petitioner's request for judicial intervention. Crucially, instead of dismissing the matter entirely, the court ordered the transfer of the subsequent civil suit (Regular Civil Suit No. 297 of 2014) to be heard alongside the original trademark suit (Special Civil Suit No. 3264 of 2013). This decision ensures that both parties' claims regarding the mark are adjudicated together.
Itc Limited v.The Controller Of Patents And Designs & Ors.
ITC Limited challenged the registration of a cigarette pack design (No. 196859) by appealing to the Calcutta High Court, arguing that the design lacked novelty and was not registrable under the Designs Act, 2000. The petitioner contended that prior published designs rendered the registered design non-original. However, the court ultimately dismissed the appeal, finding no fundamental error in the Controller's assessment of the design's originality and noting significant delays by the appellant.
M/S Shree Seco Pvt Ltd v.Union of India And Anr
The Rajasthan High Court addressed a writ petition filed by M/S Shree Seco Pvt Ltd seeking mandamus for the renewal of its Trade Mark Registration No. 721240. The court did not grant the renewal directly but issued a specific direction to the Registrar of Trademark (Respondent No. 2). This order mandates that the Registrar must decide on the pending renewal application within three months, providing a clear timeline and procedural path for the petitioner.
Cholayil Private Limited v.Aditya Birla Management Corporation Pvt Ltd.
Cholayil Private Limited filed a suit against Aditya Birla Management Corporation and others, alleging infringement of its trademarks ('Medimix', Mortar and Pestle) and copyright in its product labeling. The plaintiff sought perpetual injunctions, damages, and an accounting of profits due to the defendants' alleged unauthorized use of similar marks and artistic works on soaps and cosmetic products. Ultimately, both parties reached a Joint Memo of Compromise, leading to the suit being disposed of amicably.
Krishna Plastic Industries v.Controller Of Patents And Designs & Ors.
Krishna Plastic Industries appealed against an order allowing the cancellation of its registered design for a 'plastic seal'. The High Court found that the Deputy Controller failed to properly examine and reason regarding the distinctive surface pattern, which was claimed as the source of novelty. Consequently, the court set aside the impugned order and remanded the matter for fresh consideration.
Aia Engineering Limited v.Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel)
Aia Engineering Limited filed a civil suit alleging that the third defendant infringed its patent (IN'740) related to wear-resistant metal parts used in industrial applications. The defendants challenged the jurisdiction of the Delhi High Court, arguing that the substantial cause of action arose outside Delhi.
Atul Narsibhai Patel v.Assistant Controller Of Patents And Designs & Anr.
The petitioner appealed against the cancellation of Design No. 211639 (a seal for packaging). The Assistant Controller cancelled the registration finding that the design was not new or original because its features were strikingly similar to prior published and registered designs, specifically nos. 179570 and 205871.
A. Ebrahim v.M/S. Ojin Foods Pvt. Ltd.
This Kerala High Court judgment addressed a challenge to the territorial jurisdiction in an infringement suit. The defendant argued that relief of passing off should only lie where they ordinarily reside, but the trial court found it was ancillary to the main trademark infringement claim. The High Court upheld the lower court's finding, noting that since both trademark infringement and passing off were sought, the jurisdictional issue could not be definitively settled at this stage. Consequently, the original petition challenging the jurisdiction order was dismissed.
Franco-Indian Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. v.Lupin Ltd And Anr
The Bombay High Court dismissed the appeal filed by Franco-Indian Pharmaceuticals against the refusal of interim relief. The dispute centered on alleged infringement and passing off concerning the medicinal preparation DEXORANGE, whose packaging and trade mark were copied by the respondents (Lupin Ltd And Anr). Despite strong claims regarding identical artistic work and deceptive similarity, the court found no immediate case for injunction after an 11-year delay in seeking relief. However, the court directed that the original suit be expedited, keeping all core issues of infringement and passing off open for future adjudication.
Beckman Coulter Biomedical, LLC v.Union of India
The petitioner challenged an order by the Controller of Patents & Designs which returned its subject patent application (PCT/US2011/035420) on the grounds that the mandatory 31-month deadline for nationalization had expired. The petitioner argued that technical errors led to the delay and sought judicial intervention.
Abhoy Kumar Jain v.Vrajlal Manilal & Company And Others
The Delhi High Court intervened in a dispute over trademark rectification, setting aside an ex parte order passed by the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB). The petitioner successfully argued that the original decision failed to consider their statement of defense and material evidence. Consequently, the court restored the petitioner's mark 'Tufan' on the register and remitted the case back to the IPAB for a fair reconsideration, emphasizing procedural fairness over substantive merits.
A. Arivazhagan / P.C.N. Raghupathy v.The Registrar of Trade Marks / Union of India & Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks
The Madras High Court addressed two writ petitions concerning the abandonment of various trademark applications. The core issue was the denial of a proper opportunity for petitioners to be heard before the Trade Mark Registry. Recognizing that due process had been violated, the court directed the respondents to provide an immediate personal hearing at the appropriate office and pass orders expeditiously in line with the Trademarks Act, 2002.
Park Jeong Tae v.Hem Kund Sprayers
The plaintiff, Park Jeong Tae, sought a permanent injunction against the defendant, Hem Kund Sprayers, for infringing his registered patent (No. 254374) related to an injection moulded cleaning solution pump for chemical sprayers, marketed as 'Super-2000 Gold Sprayer'. The plaintiff also alleged passing off and copyright infringement on packaging. Based on a prima facie case, the court granted an ad-interim ex-parte injunction and appointed a Local Commissioner.
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