IP Cases — 2018
224 decisions across all jurisdictions
Page 8 of 8 · 224 total
Snj Distillers Private Limited v.The Deputy Registrar Of Trademarks
Snj Distillers Private Limited filed a writ petition seeking a Writ of Mandamus to compel the Deputy Registrar of Trademarks to issue a registration certificate for their trademark application. However, during the proceedings, the petitioner's counsel informed the court that the trademark certificate had already been issued. Consequently, the Madras High Court dismissed the writ petition as infructuous.
Turning Point & Anr. v.Turning Point Institute Private Ltd
This appeal addressed a dispute over the use of the mark 'TP TURNING POINT' in the educational sector. The appellant challenged an order that had restricted its use of the trademark, while the respondent claimed prior usage rights dating back to 1994. The court focused on setting aside the restrictive injunction granted against the appellant. The High Court ultimately allowed the appeal regarding the interlocutory injunction, quashing the previous order and dismissing IA 16232/2015. However, the judgment noted that it was prima facie and interlocutory in nature, leaving the core merits of the trademark dispute unresolved.
Upl Limited v.Pradeep Sharma & Anr
Upl Limited filed a suit claiming infringement of three patents related to a stable synergistic herbicidal composition (Sulfosulfuron + Metsulfuron Methyl WG). The defendants challenged the validity of these patents. The court found that the plaintiff had made out a strong prima facie case and granted an interim injunction.
Sphaera Pharma, Pte. Ltd And Anr. v.Union Of India And Anr.
The petitioner filed a petition seeking directions to restore its Indian Patent Application (No. 3584/DELNP/2015) for examination, which had been treated as abandoned due to failure to file the request within the prescribed time limit. The court examined the mandatory nature of the statutory deadlines and ruled against the petitioner's plea for restoration.
Praneet Singh Davar v.L S Davar & Co & Ors
The Delhi High Court addressed an appeal challenging a previous interim order that restricted the appellant's association with the respondent firm. While acknowledging the initial prohibition, the court clarified that the single judge's recorded 'prima facie' opinion regarding trademark rectification was not a final determination. The judgment directs the Registrar of Trademarks to proceed with the rectification proceedings based on merits, independent of the prior preliminary view.
Hindustan Unilever Limited v.Sainath Enterprise
Hindustan Unilever Limited filed a commercial suit against Sainath Enterprise alleging that the defendant was using an identical or deceptively similar label mark and trade dress on their detergent powder, thereby passing off their goods as those of the plaintiff. The court granted leave under Clause XIV of the Letters Patent Act and passed an interim order.
Hindustan Unilever Limited v.S.G.K. Industries
Hindustan Unilever Limited filed a suit against S.G.K. Industries alleging infringement and passing off related to its 'SPLAT' trade mark used in detergent preparations. The Bombay High Court granted an interim injunction restraining the defendant from using the infringing marks pending final disposal of the suit.
Hindustan Unilever Ltd. v.Joshi Products
Hindustan Unilever Ltd. filed an IP suit against Joshi Products alleging infringement of its copyrighted artistic label and distinctive trade dress for its detergent powder, WHEEL. The Bombay High Court granted leave to defend the suit and subsequently decreed it in favor of HUL.
Magnolia Ltd. v.Softgel Health Care Pvt. Ltd.
The Bombay High Court granted a temporary injunction favoring Magnolia Ltd. against Softgel Health Care Pvt. Ltd. The court ordered that pending the final disposal of the suit, the defendant is restrained from manufacturing, selling, exporting, or using the disputed trademark 'VAGICLIN Plus' in connection with any pharmaceutical product. This interim order significantly protects the plaintiff's brand rights while the main infringement case proceeds.
Prime Comfort Products Private Limited v.Lal Bahadur Trading As Sulakshmi Enterprises
The Delhi High Court dismissed the defendant's application for summary judgment, upholding its territorial jurisdiction to hear the trademark infringement suit. The plaintiff successfully argued that the defendant was conducting business and soliciting sales within Delhi via its website and through market confusion involving distributors in the region. This ruling reinforces the principle that digital presence and market impact within a specific territory can establish jurisdictional grounds under IP law.
Nawaz Modi and Anr. v.Design Your Body Art/New Body Art Fitness Club and Ors.
The Bombay High Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff, Body Basic Healthcare Pvt Ltd (Nawaz Modi), finding that the defendants were infringing on their registered trademarks and engaging in passing off. The court granted a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from using similar marks like 'NEW BODY ART' or misrepresenting their services as connected to the plaintiffs. Furthermore, the defendants were ordered to withdraw an application for registration of the mark 'BODY ART GYM' and pay substantial damages.
S.Paul Raj v.Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.
The plaintiff filed a civil suit seeking permanent injunction against TCS for infringing his copyright and patent related to 'FLYGUARD' (e-Passport/Smartcard). Despite arguments regarding jurisdiction, the court dismissed the suit due to the continuous non-appearance of the plaintiff and his counsel reporting 'No Instructions'.
Tapas Kanti Mandal v.Cosmo Films Ltd.
The petitioner, a former employee of Cosmo Films Ltd., challenged an injunction granted by the trial court restraining him from working in competing businesses after his resignation. The plaintiff company relied on a non-compete clause and confidentiality agreements regarding trade secrets and proprietary knowledge. The High Court ruled that post-service negative restrictive covenants are generally not enforceable, favoring the petitioner's right to profession.
S.Sudhakar & Shri Lakshmi Agro Foods Pvt.Ltd. v.M/s.Udayam Marketing
The Madras High Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, S.Sudhakar and Shri Lakshmi Agro Foods Pvt.Ltd., against M/s.Udayam Marketing regarding trademark infringement and passing off of 'UDHAIYAM'. The court granted a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from using an identical or deceptively similar mark for food products like Asafoetida Powder. Furthermore, given the decade-long litigation period and the defendant's non-appearance, the court awarded substantial compensatory costs to the plaintiffs.
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