IP Cases — 2019
328 decisions across all jurisdictions
Page 7 of 11 · 328 total
Speciality Restaurants Limited v.Deepika Hospitalities Pvt.Ltd.
Speciality Restaurants Limited filed a suit against Deepika Hospitalities Pvt. Ltd. regarding alleged trademark infringement. The court disposed of the suit and notice of motion based on minutes of order, accepting undertakings from the defendants.
Flexituff International Ltd v.M/S Tirupati Sprinklers
The plaintiff sued the defendant alleging infringement of its registered dripper design. The plaintiff claimed exclusive rights over the design developed since 2010. The defendant countered that the design was generic, not novel, and had been obtained from a third party (Mr. Uri Alkalay) prior to registration. The court dismissed both injunction applications.
Utv Software Communication Ltd. v.1337X.To and others
The Delhi High Court addressed multiple suits concerning the unauthorized streaming and distribution of copyrighted cinematograph works on various websites. The court found that the defendant-websites were infringing upon the plaintiffs' copyrights.
Pharmacosmos Holding A/S v.La Renon Healthcare Private Limited & Anr
Pharmacosmos Holding A/S filed a suit for infringement against La Renon Healthcare Private Limited and others regarding Patent No. 291100 ('RAPIFER'). The court granted permanent injunction against Defendant No. 1 based purely on the defendant's binding statement, despite disputes over the plaint's merits. Similarly, the suit against Defendant No. 2 (Corona Remedies Pvt. Ltd.) was disposed of by binding them to their reply stating they were not infringing.
Natco Pharma Ltd v.Union Of India & Ors.
Natco Pharma Ltd challenged the actions of the Controller regarding a pending patent application (No. 3865/KOLNP/2007). The petitioner argued that since the Controller had reserved judgment without deciding on their request for cross-examination, they would be seriously prejudiced if the patent was granted without hearing their objections fully. The Court ruled that in adversarial proceedings before the Controller, the right to cross-examine is an indefeasible right under natural justice.
J. C. Bamford Excavators Ltd v.Union Of India And Ors.
The petitioner challenged the Deputy Controller of Patents and Designs' order that revoked Patent No. 251037, citing lack of disclosure regarding ongoing civil suit and a PCT application in Australia. The court found the revocation unjustified, noting that the civil dispute had settled and the respondent had withdrawn the post-grant opposition.
D. Baskaran v.The Deputy Registrar Of Trade Marks & The Registrar of Trade Marks
This Madras High Court judgment addressed a dispute over the lapsed registration of the 'TAJMAHAL' trade mark. The petitioner sought directions to compel the Trade Mark Registry to accept his renewal application, which had been refused due to the lapse of time. The court ruled that mere expiration is insufficient for removal; the statutory procedure, specifically issuing Form O-3 notice under Section 25(3) of the Trade Marks Act, must be followed scrupulously before a mark can be removed from the register.
Elder Projects Ltd. & Anr. v.Elder Pharmacia Llp & Ors.
The Delhi High Court dismissed the suit filed by Elder Projects Ltd. against Elder Pharmacia LLP, finding that the claim of passing off lacked a genuine cause of action. The court relied heavily on evidence provided by the plaintiff's Managing Director, which revealed that the plaintiff had previously claimed rights over the 'ELDER' trademark based on mistaken advice and was not the registered proprietor. Consequently, the interim ex-parte injunction granted to the plaintiff was vacated, marking a significant setback for Elder Projects Ltd.
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.Kaleesuwari Refinery Private Limited v.M/s.ALAMELU MANGA OIL COMPANY
M/s.Kaleesuwari Refinery Private Limited filed a civil suit against M/s.ALAMELU MANGA OIL COMPANY alleging infringement of its registered copyright (A-68242/2005) and trademark ('Gold Winner'). The plaintiff claimed the defendant was using deceptively similar trade dress, color scheme, and get up with the mark 'SUN F GOLD' on packing material for refined sunflower oil. Although the suit sought permanent injunctions and accounts of profits, the parties ultimately entered into a compromise.
Tata Sky Limited v.National Internet Exchange Of India (NIXI)
Tata Sky Limited filed suit seeking permanent injunction against an individual (D-3) for passing off the 'TATA SKY' trade mark, and mandatory injunctions against NIXI (D-1) and GoDaddy (D-2) to prevent or extinguish deceptively similar domain names. The court granted decrees in favor of Tata Sky Limited against D-3, ordering permanent injunction, and against D-1 and D-2, directing the extinguishment of specific listed domain names.
Kesari Trust v.Kesari Tours and Travels
The plaintiffs filed a commercial IP suit against the defendant alleging infringement and passing off related to the use of the mark 'KESARI'. The court decreed the suit, granting perpetual injunctions against the defendant for using the mark in relation to various businesses.
Kesari Trust v.Kesari Tours and Travels
The plaintiffs filed a commercial IP suit against the defendant alleging infringement and passing off related to the use of the mark 'KESARI'. The court decreed the suit, granting perpetual injunctions against the defendant for using the mark in relation to various businesses.
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.
Kesari Trust v.Kesari Tours and Travels
The plaintiffs filed a commercial IP suit against the defendant alleging infringement and passing off related to the use of the mark 'KESARI'. The court decreed the suit, granting perpetual injunctions against the defendant for using the mark in relation to travel, tourism, forex, and advertising businesses.
Donato Styling Products v.Celine Health Care Private Limited
Donato Styling Products filed a Commercial IP Suit alleging trademark infringement and passing off by Celine Health Care Private Limited. The court granted leave to the petitioner and subsequently passed an interim order granting a temporary injunction against the defendants regarding the use of similar trademarks.
Supreme Agrofoods Pvt. Ltd. v.Union Of India
Supreme Agrofoods Pvt. Ltd. sought judicial direction from the Delhi High Court to compel the Union of India (Trademark Registry) to accept the renewal and/or restoration of its registered trademark, No. 1235463. The court disposed of the writ petition by allowing the petitioner a four-week window to submit the necessary renewal request along with the required restoration fee. This order clarifies that once submitted, the Trademark Registry will consider the application according to law.
Kewal Kiran Clothing Limited v.Rupam Garments
The Bombay High Court addressed a Notice of Motion concerning allegations of infringement and passing off. The Defendant failed to appear before the court, leading the court to issue a bailable warrant against the proprietor of Rupam Garments. The existing ad-interim order was directed to continue.
Hindustan Unilever Limited v.Jms Industries
Hindustan Unilever Limited filed a Commercial IP Suit against JMS Industries concerning trademark infringement and passing off related to detergent preparations. The court granted leave under Clause XIV of the Letters Patent Act and issued an interim injunction restraining the defendant from using the mark SARAF or the SPLAT Device in connection with similar goods.
Hindustan Unilever Limited v.Jms Industries
Hindustan Unilever Limited filed a Commercial IP Suit against JMS Industries regarding alleged trademark infringement and passing off related to detergent products. The court granted leave under Clause XIV and issued an interim injunction restraining the Defendant from using the mark SARAF or the SPLAT Device in relation to its detergent preparations.
Surya Food And Agro Limited v.Om Traders & Anr.
The Delhi High Court dismissed Surya Food And Agro Limited's suit against Om Traders and others, which alleged passing off based on similar packaging trade dress. The court found that despite the plaintiff's claims regarding distinctive packaging for 'BUTTER DELITE,' there was no sufficient similarity or likelihood of confusion with the defendant's product, 'BUTTER KRUNCH.' The judgment emphasized consumer perception principles (Gestalt Psychology), concluding that consumers recall products holistically rather than focusing on minute details of the packaging.
Achla Sabharwal v.A. Saptrishi Films & Ors.
This appeal challenged an order directing the plaintiff's plaint back to be filed in a competent jurisdiction. The core dispute revolved around the exclusive ownership and jurisdiction rights concerning the film 'BETI No.1'. While the appellant claimed sole copyright ownership based on an agreement, the respondents relied heavily on a clause stipulating that all disputes must be heard exclusively by courts in Mumbai. The Delhi High Court ultimately upheld the trial court's order.
M/s.Kaleesuwari Refinery Private Limited v.M/s.Lakshmi Traders
M/s.Kaleesuwari Refinery Private Limited filed a civil suit against M/s.Lakshmi Traders alleging infringement of its registered copyright (A-68242/2005) and trademark ('Gold Winner'). The plaintiff claimed the defendant was deceptively using similar trade dress and color schemes on packaging for refined sunflower oil. However, during the proceedings, both parties reached a compromise. The court subsequently decreed the suit based on the Joint Memo of Compromise, ensuring the defendant would cease using the offending mark.
Metro Brands Ltd. v.Metro Footwear
The Plaintiff filed a Commercial IP Suit alleging that the Defendant was infringing its registered trademark 'METRO' and engaging in passing off. The Court found prima facie satisfaction regarding the infringement and granted ad-interim relief.
Hindustan Unilever Limited v.Burdwan Soap Works
Hindustan Unilever Limited filed a Commercial IP Suit against Burdwan Soap Works alleging trademark infringement and passing off related to their detergent powder products. The court granted an interim order, reinforcing existing reliefs and issuing further restraints on the Defendant's business practices.
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.
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.
Shyam Steel Industries Limited v.Shyam Sel And Power Limited & Anr.
Shyam Steel Industries Limited filed a suit against Shyam Sel And Power Limited & Anr. alleging infringement of trademark and passing off. The Calcutta High Court accepted the plaint, noting that no leave was required under Clause 12 of the Letters Patent, 1865. Given concerns about potential concealment of infringing products, the court dispensed with mediation provisions.
Kewal Kiran Clothing Limited v.Rupam Garments
The petitioner filed a Notice of Motion against the respondent in the Commercial Division of the Bombay High Court. The court granted leave and directed the defendant to appear on a specific date along with relevant invoices, while maintaining the existing interim protection.
Gopal Ji Gupta v.Union Of India & Anr
The Delhi High Court ruled in favor of Gopal Ji Gupta regarding the renewal of his trademark 'BINACA'. The court held that since the Registrar failed to issue mandatory notice (Form O-3) before the mark was removed from the register, the rejection of the renewal application as time-barred was legally flawed. Consequently, the respondents were directed to consider the petitioner's renewal request, provided late fees are paid.
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