IP Cases — 2019
339 decisions across all jurisdictions
Page 5 of 12 · 339 total
Kewal Kiran Clothing Limited v.Rupam Garments
The plaintiff filed a Commercial IP Suit against the defendant regarding passing off. The court directed the defendant to appear in person along with invoices, and while the defendant failed to appear, the court reiterated that the earlier ad-interim order would continue.
M/s.Praba's Vcare Health Clinic (P) Limited v.Veecare Hospitals and others
The Madras High Court ruled in favor of M/s.Praba's Vcare Health Clinic, finding that the defendants infringed upon its registered trademark 'VCare'. The court determined that the defendant's use of 'Vee Care' was phonetically and alphabetically deceptively similar to the plaintiff's mark. Consequently, the suit was decreed, granting a permanent injunction against further misuse and ordering the defendants to pay costs.
M/s.Rui Boutique v.Nidhi Arora
The Bombay High Court disposed of a commercial IP suit between Rui Boutique and Nidhi Arora based on mutually agreed-upon consent terms. The settlement allowed the defendant to change her existing trademark and trade name, which the plaintiff accepted. This resolution brought an end to the litigation concerning the intellectual property dispute.
Dart Industries Inc. v.K.K.Plastics
Dart Industries Inc. filed a civil suit against K.K.Plastics and others, alleging infringement of its registered bottle and cap designs (Registration Nos. 221424 and 221425) and passing off related to its 'Aquasafe' brand. The plaintiffs sought permanent injunctions against the defendants for manufacturing or selling imitative products. Given that the defendants failed to appear and contest the suit, the Madras High Court passed a summary judgment in favor of Dart Industries Inc., confirming the infringement claims.
M/s.Swagath Motels Private Limited v.M/s.Hotel Swagath; Registrar of Trademarks
M/s.Swagath Motels Private Limited filed an Original Petition seeking the cancellation of the trademark 'Hotel Swagath' registered in M/s.Hotel Swagath, citing concerns over register purity. However, on August 8, 2023, the Madras High Court noted that the dispute between the contesting private parties had been resolved amicably. Consequently, the court closed (T)OP(TM) No.486 of 2023 without passing any formal order regarding costs.
Bayer Corporation v.Union Of India & Ors.
This judgment addresses the interpretation of Section 107A of the Patents Act, 1970, commonly known as the Bolar provision. The court examined whether patented products could be exported for clinical trials and regulatory submissions outside India without constituting patent infringement. The bench affirmed that sale or use under Section 107A is legal both domestically and abroad, provided the end purpose is reasonably related to research and development for regulatory compliance. Furthermore, the judgment clarified that disputes regarding the legitimate scope of this exemption should be adjudicated in civil suits rather than public law proceedings like writ petitions.
Satish Kumar v.Khushboo Singh & Ors.
Satish Kumar filed a suit against Khushboo Singh and others, alleging the misappropriation of confidential information, trade secrets, and clientage belonging to his company, Plasma Impex Inc. The plaintiff sought permanent injunctions and damages, claiming that the defendants used proprietary data obtained during their employment. However, the court ultimately dismissed the suit as withdrawn by the plaintiff.
M/s.Gedore Werkzeugfabrik GmbH & Co. Kg v.Southern Hardware Pvt. Ltd.
M/s. Gedore Werkzeugfabrik GmbH & Co. Kg filed a civil suit against Southern Hardware Pvt. Ltd., alleging infringement of its registered trade marks, including 'GEDORE', and copyright violation concerning the 'GEDORE Device' artistic works. The plaintiffs sought perpetual injunctions and damages for passing off and IP infringement. However, before the final judgment, both parties entered into a compromise agreement.
Hindustan Unilever Limited v.Shree Shyam Udyog and Ors.
Hindustan Unilever Limited filed a suit against Shree Shyam Udyog for infringing its registered trade marks (SUNLIGHT) and copyrighted artistic packaging/trade dress. The court granted leave under Clause XIV of the Letters Patent Act and decreed the suit.
Meena Prints Pvt. Ltd. v.Vahini Enterprises And Anr.
The plaintiff, Meena Prints Pvt. Ltd., filed a suit against Vahini Enterprises and others alleging infringement of its registered trade mark 'Meena Prints' (Reg. No. 967504) and copyright in the mark. The court granted permanent injunctions restraining the defendants from infringing or passing off goods using similar marks.
Shogun Organics Ltd. v.Gaur Hari Guchhait & Ors.
Shogun Organics Ltd. filed a suit seeking permanent injunction against infringement of its patent (IN-236630) related to the manufacturing process of d-trans Allethrin, an active ingredient in mosquito repellents. The Plaintiff alleged that the Defendants were using the patented process despite having different licenses. The court found the patent valid and ruled in favor of the Plaintiff.
Intellectual Property Attorneys Association v.The Controller General Of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks & Anr
The petitioner challenged the refusal of trade mark registration applications due to non-speaking orders passed by the Registrar of Trade Marks. The court held that Section 18(5) mandates the Registrar to record and communicate the grounds for refusal in writing. Consequently, Rule 36 of the Trade Marks Rules was deemed arbitrary and inconsistent with the statute.
Meena Prints Pvt. Ltd. v.Sri Sai Bhavani Handloom House and others
The petitioner, Meena Prints Pvt. Ltd., filed a commercial IP suit against Sri Sai Bhavani Handloom House and others alleging passing off of its registered trademark "Meena Prints". The court granted a temporary order restraining the defendants from using deceptively similar marks like "Meera Prints" pending the final hearing.
Sterlite Technologies Limited v.Ztt India Private Limited
The plaintiff has sued for a permanent injunction restraining the defendant from infringing its patents related to optical fibre technology. The court is considering interim arrangements to balance the rights of both parties until a final determination is made.
Ceat Limited v.Ambika Rubber Industries And 2 Ors.
Ceat Limited filed a Commercial IP Suit against Ambika Rubber Industries and others alleging trademark infringement and passing off related to tyre tubes and automobile industry goods. The Bombay High Court granted leave under Clause XIV of the Letters Patent Act and passed an order granting an interim injunction restraining the defendants from using marks or trade dress deceptively similar to Ceat's.
Pidilite Industries Limited v.Golden Glue and others
Pidilite Industries Limited filed a Commercial IP Suit against Golden Glue and others alleging passing off. The court granted leave under Clause XIV of the Letters Patent Act and also passed an interim order granting injunctions to protect the plaintiff's brand identity and packaging design.
M/s.Vaibhav Foods v.Narendra Kumar Mali / M/s.FOOD INDIA
M/s. Vaibhav Foods filed a suit against Narendra Kumar Mali and M/s. FOOD INDIA alleging infringement and passing off related to their unique chocolate packaging design. The Plaintiff demonstrated that they had successfully registered two designs (Nos. 274667 and 274668) for the specific arrangement and color combination of chocolates. The court found that the defendants were manufacturing and selling chocolates using a similar and identical design, leading to confusion in the market.
Marico Limited v.Mahajan Group Of Industries & Ors.
The Delhi High Court granted an interim injunction in favor of Marico Limited against Mahajan Group Of Industries & Ors. The court found a prima facie case of infringement and passing off regarding the plaintiff's 'SAFFOLA Oats' brand. Given that the defendants were allegedly selling oats with packaging deceptively similar to SAFFOLA, the court restrained them from manufacturing or distributing the competing product, 'NUTRI DELITE OATS,' until further orders.
Roopak Stores Pvt. Ltd. v.Roopaks Pik-N-Pay
The Delhi High Court addressed an injunction application filed by Roopak Stores Pvt. Ltd. against Roopaks Pik-N-Pay regarding alleged trademark infringement of 'ROOPAK'. While the plaintiffs sought a complete restraint, the court acknowledged the defendants' long-standing use of the mark since 1994 and noted unexplained delay in filing the suit (2017). Consequently, instead of granting an outright injunction, the Court ordered the defendants to cease using variants of the mark while simultaneously mandating them to file detailed accounts from 1993-94 to facilitate a fair trial.
Dongguan Tr Bearing Co. Ltd. v.M/s. Harman Overseas and Ors.
The Bombay High Court addressed a Commercial IP Suit filed by Dongguan Tr Bearing Co. Ltd. against M/s. Harman Overseas and Ors. The court noted that both parties had initiated applications before the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) seeking the rectification of each other's trademarks. Consequently, the judge stayed the ongoing suit until the outcomes of these parallel IPAB proceedings are determined.
M/S Psychotropics India Ltd. v.M/S Syncom Healthcare Ltd.
The Delhi High Court allowed M/S Psychotropics India Ltd. to appoint Local Commissioners in the execution phase of a trademark infringement suit against M/S Syncom Healthcare Ltd. Despite initial rejection by the Trial Court, the High Court emphasized that permanent injunctions related to pharmaceutical products require strict enforcement due to public interest and consumer safety. The appointed commissioners were directed to seize infringing goods bearing the mark CTZ-10 and inspect sales accounts.
Relaxo Footwears Limited v.Aqualite India Ltd.
Relaxo Footwears Limited filed a suit seeking permanent injunction against Aqualite India Ltd. for allegedly infringing its registered footwear design No.294938. The core dispute revolved around whether the defendant's product was an obvious or fraudulent imitation of the plaintiff's protected design. During the interim application, the court directed a market survey which revealed numerous third-party products with near identical designs available in the market.
Biogen International Gmbh v.Jayesh Shah
The court passed an order disposing of several applications filed by both parties. The existing interim injunction was confirmed, and the defendant was permitted to sell their existing stock of 'DYFIRA' under specific conditions. This permission required the defendant to furnish a bank guarantee of Rs.30 lacs to secure potential damages.
M/s.Thalappakatti Naidu Ananda Vilas Biriyani Hotel v.Halal Thalappakattu Biriyani
The Madras High Court ruled in favor of M/s. Thalappakatti Naidu Ananda Vilas Biriyani Hotel against Halal Thalappakattu Biriyani for trademark infringement and passing off. The court found that the defendant's use of 'Halal Thalappakattu Biriyani' was phonetically and deceptively similar to the plaintiff's established brand, 'Thalappakatti Biriyani Hotel.' Consequently, the suit was decreed, granting a permanent injunction and awarding damages.
Monsanto Technology Llc Thru The Authorised Representative Ms. Natalia Voruz & Others v.Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd. Thru The Director & Others
This Supreme Court judgment addressed a dispute between Monsanto Technology LLC and Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd. concerning the use of patented Bt cotton technology ('BOLGARD'). The core issue revolved around whether the defendants' rights were protected under the PPVFR Act, potentially invalidating the patent claims, or if the plaintiffs could enforce their registered patent for infringement. The court ultimately restored a Single Judge's interim injunction and remanded the suit, emphasizing that complex questions of patent validity must be decided after full evidence is adduced during trial.
Rui Boutique v.Nidhi Arora
The plaintiff, Rui Boutique, a manufacturer and trader of ready-made women's garments under the trade mark 'RUI', filed an application alleging that the defendant was using the impugned mark 'RUI INDIA' for similar goods. The court found a strong prima facie case regarding the identity/deceptive similarity between the marks and granted an ad-interim injunction.
Shambhu Nath & Brothers & Ors. v.Usha International Limited
In this trademark dispute, Shambhu Nath & Brothers successfully secured a favorable outcome against Usha International Limited. The respondent company voluntarily agreed to withdraw its application for the trademark 'TOOFAN' and provided an affidavit undertaking that it would neither use nor register the mark, or any similar mark, in the future. Consequently, the court disposed of the suit based on this binding commitment.
Meena Prints Pvt. Ltd. v.Sri Sai Bhavani Handloom House and others
The petitioner, Meena Prints Pvt. Ltd., filed a commercial IP suit against Sri Sai Bhavani Handloom House and others regarding alleged trademark infringement/passing off. The court granted leave under Clause XIV of the Letters Patent Act and passed an interim order restraining the defendants from using deceptively similar marks like "Meena Prints" or "Meera Prints" on their textile goods.
A.S. Hameed v.P. Maharajan
The dispute centered on a registered trade mark ('No.10 A.S. PHOTO BEEDI') used for beedies and tobacco products, with the plaintiff seeking an injunction against alleged infringement by the defendant. However, the case progressed to an application by the defendant seeking revocation of the 'leave to sue' initially granted to the plaintiff. The court ultimately held that neither party resided nor conducted business within its territorial jurisdiction, leading to the successful revocation of the leave and the dismissal of the main suit.
Cedar Properties & Trading Llp & Ors. v.Hab Pharmaceuticals & Research Limited & Ors.
The Delhi High Court granted a temporary injunction in favor of Cedar Properties & Trading LLP against Hab Pharmaceuticals & Research Limited. The plaintiffs claimed that the defendants were using the deceptively similar trademark 'DROTIOST' for pharmaceutical preparations, infringing upon their registered mark 'DROTIN'. Given the potential for consumer confusion in the medical field, the court restrained the defendant from manufacturing or selling products under the impugned mark until further hearing.
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