IP Cases — 2018
224 decisions across all jurisdictions
Page 3 of 8 · 224 total
Hotel Panchavati Gaurav v.Anviti Foods And 2 Others
Hotel Panchavati Gaurav filed an IP suit against Anviti Foods and others alleging infringement of its registered trademarks and copyright related to the name PANCHAVATI GAURAV. The Bombay High Court granted perpetual injunctions restraining the defendants from using the infringing marks and ordered the defendants to pay Rs. 12,00,000/- towards costs/damages.
Luxembourg Brands S.A R.L & Anr v.G.M Pens International Pvt Ltd
The Delhi High Court partially decreed the suit for trademark infringement and passing off. Despite previous settlements where the defendant agreed to cease using certain marks, the court found that the defendant continued manufacturing and selling products under the mark 'TERAMAX'. Consequently, the court imposed a penalty of ₹5 lakh on the company's directors and mandated a detailed accounting and independent audit of all net revenue earned from the infringing sales.
Galderma S.A And Anr v.Medsea Healthcare Pvt Ltd
The Delhi High Court dismissed the defendant's application seeking a summary dismissal of the trademark infringement suit. The court noted that while the plaintiffs had assigned their rights to the mark Q-MED, the timing and effect of this assignment were complex and required full trial evidence. Given the ongoing dispute over ownership changes and alleged concealment, the court ruled that the core issues could not be resolved summarily, allowing the main litigation to proceed.
Galatea Ltd v.Diyora And Bhanderi Corporation
Galatea Ltd filed a patent infringement suit against Diyora and Bhanderi Corporation, claiming that their machines infringe Patent No. IN271425, which covers automated technology for locating inclusions in rough gemstones. The plaintiffs argued this invention was crucial for maximizing the value of diamonds by optimizing cutting and polishing processes. However, during the hearing on the temporary injunction application, the court found that the plaintiffs failed to prove a prima facie case.
Ferrero Spa & Nr v.M/S Ruchi International & Anr
The Delhi High Court ruled in favor of Ferrero Spa & Nr, finding that the defendants were infringing upon the well-known 'Ferrero Rocher' trademark and trade dress by selling look-alike chocolates under the brand 'Golden Passion.' Despite being aware of previous injunctions, Defendant No.2 continued to sell these infringing products. The Court awarded damages of ₹10.00 Lac against Defendant No.2, emphasizing that parties who evade court proceedings cannot benefit from their non-participation.
Nakoda Plast Industries v.Amisha Plastic
Nakoda Plast Industries filed an IP suit against Amisha Plastic. The parties subsequently entered into Consent Terms, which were accepted by the Court.
Dolby International Ab v.Das Telecom Private Limited
The suit concerns patent infringement related to High Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding Technology. The defendants sought to amend their written statement to introduce a defense claiming that they were authorized users because the plaintiffs had licensed the technology to M/s Google INC, from whom the defendants obtained licenses. The court dismissed this amendment application.
Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd. v.Comed Chemicals Pvt. Ltd.
The Gujarat High Court dismissed Torrent Pharmaceuticals' appeal against a lower court order that vacated an interim injunction. The dispute centered on whether Comed Chemicals' brand name, 'CODROXIL', infringed upon Torrent's registered trademark, 'DROXYL'. Despite arguments regarding phonetic and visual similarity, the court found no prima facie case for confusion, noting that both names originated from the generic drug 'Cefadroxil' and considering the nature of prescription-only pharmaceutical sales. The appeal was dismissed, directing the lower court to finalize the main suit promptly.
Marico Ltd. v.Mrs. Jagit Kaur
Marico Ltd. appealed against the Copyright Board's dismissal of its rectification petition, challenging Mrs. Jagit Kaur's copyright registration for the 'NIHAL UTTAM' label. The court found that the Respondent's artistic work was not original but a substantial and colorful imitation of Marico's established 'NIHAR COCONUT OIL' label. Given this clear infringement and lack of originality, the High Court set aside the Board's judgment.
Brihan Karan Sugar Syndicate Private Limited v.Karmaveer Shankarrao Kale Shahakari Sakhar Karkhana Limited
This appeal before the Bombay High Court challenged a trial court order that restrained the appellants from using the artistic label 'Military Santra' for selling country liquor. The appellants argued that the respondent-plaintiff had prior knowledge of the label since 2005 and was therefore acquiescent, invalidating the injunction. Furthermore, they contended that their own usage since 1975 established their copyright in the artwork. The High Court allowed the appeal, setting aside the restrictive order and directing the trial court to expedite the disposal of the main Copyright Suit.
Dart Industries Inc & Anr v.Polyset Plastics Pvt Ltd & Ors
Dart Industries Inc filed a suit alleging infringement of its registered designs for bottles and caps (Aqua Safe and Eco Flip Top) against Polyset Plastics Pvt Ltd. The plaintiff demonstrated that their unique and popular product designs were being imitated by the defendant. The court examined the prima facie case, irreparable loss, and balance of convenience before deciding on interim relief.
Hemant Bandodkar v.Vertellus Speciality Materials
The Plaintiffs allege patent infringement regarding two patents related to a high yielding process for manufacturing DCDPS with near zero effluents. They seek ad-interim reliefs and preservation of documents.
Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co., Limited v.Assistant Controller of Patents and Designs, Government of India
Kyorin Pharmaceutical appealed the rejection of its tablet patent application (No.5360/CHENP/2010), which cited lack of inventive step and non-patentability. The court found that since a process patent for manufacturing the tablet had already been granted, the respondent was estopped from rejecting the product patent on grounds of lacking inventive steps. However, the matter regarding Section 3(e) non-patentability was remitted for fresh consideration.
The Gillette Company Llc v.Tigaksha Metallics Private Ltd. & Anr
The Delhi High Court allowed the plaintiff, The Gillette Company Llc, to continue its existing interim injunction against the defendants regarding alleged trademark infringement and passing off. The court found that the balance of convenience favored the plaintiff due to their prior use of the mark compared to the defendants' recent adoption. This decision maintains the status quo while the main suit proceeds, though the plaintiff must compensate the defendant for any losses incurred if they ultimately fail in the litigation.
M/s.Thalappakatti Naidu Ananada Vilas Biriyani Hotel v.R.Shankar (Thalappakattu Briyani & Fast Food)
The Madras High Court granted a permanent injunction in favor of M/s.Thalappakatti Naidu Ananada Vilas Biriyani Hotel against R.Shankar for passing off. Despite the defendant submitting an affidavit stating they had closed their business, the court found sufficient grounds to grant the injunctive relief under summary judgment proceedings. This ruling reinforces the protection afforded to established trade names and trading styles in the food service industry.
Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd. v.Monsanto Technology Llc
This Delhi High Court judgment addressed complex disputes surrounding Monsanto's patented Bt Cotton technology. Nuziveedu Seeds challenged the patent's validity, arguing it fell under Section 3(j) of the Patents Act, which excludes plant varieties and essentially biological processes from patentability. The court ultimately held that the subject patent was unpatentable, allowing Nuziveedu's counter claim to succeed. However, while dismissing Monsanto's suit for patent enforcement, the court upheld existing contractual obligations regarding trait fee payments under the sub-license agreements.
Marina Food Products Private Limited v.Britannia Industries Limited
The Delhi High Court upheld an ex-parte injunction granted by the Trial Court against Marina Food Products Private Limited for using the trademark 'MARIE' in relation to biscuits. The court found that the initial order met the legal requirements under Order 39 Rule 3 of the CPC, as sufficient reasons were recorded regarding potential public confusion and harm. Furthermore, the appeal challenging the jurisdiction of the Delhi Courts was dismissed, confirming the trial court's authority to proceed with the trademark infringement suit.
M/s.Thalappakatti Naidu Ananada Vilas Biriyani Hotel v.Thiru A.Aboobacker
The Madras High Court dismissed a civil suit filed by M/s.Thalappakatti Naidu Ananada Vilas Biriyani Hotel against Thiru A.Aboobacker. The original suit sought permanent injunction and damages for passing off the plaintiff's trade mark 'Thalappakatti Biriyani Hotel.' However, the court accepted the plaintiff's request to withdraw the case, leading to its dismissal without costs.
Hindustan Unilever Limited v.Reva Sree Industries
Hindustan Unilever Limited filed an IP suit against Reva Sree Industries alleging that the latter was using a mark (OK WELL) and trade dress deceptively similar to HUL's established marks (OK and WHEEL) and packaging. The Bombay High Court granted leave under Clause XIV of the Letters Patent Act and passed an ad-interim injunction.
M/S.Sew-Eurodrive Gmbh & Co. Kg v.The Registrar, Trademarks Registry
The Madras High Court dismissed the writ petitions filed by M/S.Sew-Eurodrive Gmbh & Co. Kg challenging the Registrar's decision to treat its trademark applications as abandoned. The court held that since the impugned orders were passed by the Trademark Registrar, the appropriate remedy for the petitioner was not a Writ Petition under Article 226, but rather an appeal before the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB).
Hindustan Unilever Limited v.Jmd Oil Private Limited
Hindustan Unilever Limited filed a Notice of Motion against JMD Oil Private Limited alleging infringement through the use of pirated trade dress in detergent and personal care products. The Bombay High Court granted leave under Clause XIV of the Letters Patent Act and passed an order granting interim injunctions.
M/s.Lyca Productions v.J.Manimaran
M/s. Lyca Productions filed an appeal seeking an injunction against J. Manimaran (and others) for allegedly infringing on their film title 'KARU', which they claimed to have registered with a Film Producers Guild in 2011. The core dispute revolved around whether this guild registration conferred exclusive rights over the title, especially when the opposing party had also invested heavily and was readying its release. The Madras High Court ultimately allowed the appeal, ruling that such guild registration does not grant exclusive use of the title without statutory backing.
M/s. Shell India Markets Private Limited v.Income Tax Department (represented by ITO International Taxation)
The assessee, Shell India Markets Private Limited, challenged the tax department's order holding that payments made for accessing copyrighted software constituted royalty and were liable for TDS. The Tribunal examined whether the payment was for a mere user right or a transfer of copyright rights. Following precedents favoring the assessee (specifically citing the Delhi High Court), the Tribunal held that the sale/transfer of software in this context is not taxable as royalty. Consequently, the appeal was allowed, and the assessee was found not liable to deduct tax at source.
Cello Plastic Industrial Work And Ors. v.Ajay Shantilal Raka
The Bombay High Court issued an interim order in a trademark dispute involving Cello Plastic Industrial Work and Ajay Shantilal Raka. The court directed the Registrar of Trademarks to produce specific application and opposition records before the next hearing date. This procedural step indicates that the case is actively moving forward, requiring both parties to prepare for detailed examination of the relevant intellectual property filings.
M/S Mont Blanc Simplo Gmbh v.Gaurav Bhatia And Ors
In this contempt petition filed by Mont Blanc against Gaurav Bhatia and others, the Delhi High Court addressed procedural issues related to enforcement. The court upheld the maintainability of the contempt action despite the availability of execution remedies, citing Supreme Court precedent (Rama Narang). Furthermore, the court granted directions for a local commission, appointing several advocates to inspect premises, inventory counterfeit products sold on www.montblancwriting.com, and seize infringing goods in violation of prior injunctions.
Mutha Brothers & Ors v.Arjun Singh Rajguru & Ors
The Calcutta High Court addressed a suit concerning trademark infringement and passing off involving the marks 'RADIUM' and 'SPEED RADIUM'. The petitioners successfully established a strong prima facie case, demonstrating that the respondents were imitating their unique artistic get-up, color combination, and layout on packaging. Consequently, the court granted an interim order, appointing a Special Officer to inventory the infringing products while the main litigation proceeds.
M/s.MRF Limited v.Multi Race Force Lubricants Pvt. Ltd
The Madras High Court ruled in favor of M/s. MRF Limited, finding that the defendant's use of similar marks constituted trademark infringement and passing off. The court applied the 'average purchaser' test, concluding that the overall similarity between the marks and packaging was likely to mislead an ordinary consumer. Consequently, the suit was decreed with a perpetual injunction restraining further misuse of the mark.
M/s.Geege Paints v.M/s.Agsar Match Industries
The Madras High Court dismissed a writ petition filed by M/s.Geege Paints challenging an order from the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB). Geege Paints had sought to uphold the validity of its trademark 'STAG' against rectification initiated by M/s.Agsar Match Industries. However, due to the petitioner's failure to appear before the court despite being duly served with notice, the High Court dismissed the petition for non-prosecution.
Pradeep Sharma & Anr v.UPL Ltd
The petitioner challenged an order restraining him from infringing the respondent's patents related to synergistic herbicidal compositions (Metsulfuron Methyl and Sulfosulfuron). The dispute centered on whether the composition used by the appellant fell within the scope of the plaintiff's patented claims. The court ultimately upheld the Single Judge's finding that prima facie, the defendant's product was covered by the suit patent.
M/S. Aero Club v.Mr. Sahibjeet & Anr.
M/S. Aero Club filed a suit alleging that Mr. Sahibjeet and others were selling counterfeit products bearing its trademarks, including WOODLAND, TREE DEVICE, and Woodland Label. The plaintiff claimed extensive use of these marks for over 25 years in manufacturing footwear and apparel. After the defendants failed to enter an appearance or file a written statement, the court found they had no real prospect of defending the claim.
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