Trademarks

Subsequent trade mark owner can claim 'date of first use' of its predecessor

The Bombay High Court ruled in favour of the plaintiff, Pidilite Industries Ltd., who had filed a trademark infringement suit against the defendant for using the mark R-SEAL, which was allegedly similar to the plaintiff's registered mark M-SEAL. The Court found that the defendant had obtained the…


Delhi High Court grants interim protection to Amitabh Bachchan against unauthorised use of his voice, photos & likeness

Justice Navin Chawla of the High Court of Delhi granted an ad interim ex party injunction in favour of the well-known actor Amitabh Bachchan in the suit Amitabh Bachchan v. Rajat Nagi & Ors., CS(COMM) 819/2022. The suit was filed by the veteran actor to protect his rights against the use of his…


Practice what you preach, especially if you’re an IP Lawyer

In an interesting turn of events, the Delhi High Court in Sujatha Chaudhri Vs Swarupa Ghosh ruled in favour of Sujata Chaudhri of Sujata Chaudhri IP Attorneys in a trademark infringement, copyright infringement, and passing off suit restricting another intellectual property lawyer Swarupa Ghosh…


Pre-Litigation mediation in Intellectual Property matters in India

The Commercial Courts Act (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”) was enacted in 2015 to establish a definite procedural framework for dealing with commercial disputes. Commercial disputes include any dispute arising out of trade relationship between parties such as mercantile documents, partnership…


Pre-Litigation Mediation in Commercial Disputes in India

Alternate methods of dispute resolution are amicable methods of resolving disputes without the intervention of courts. It decreases the burden of the courts and encourages settlement proceedings among the parties. Generally, Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) uses one or more neutral third parties…


FLY HIGH vs FLY HIGHER, Delhi High Court Decides Upon Infringement of a mark not being used as a Trademark

The Delhi High Court’s Justice Jyoti Singh vide her order dated October 28, 2022 has vacated an ex-parte ad interim injunction (dated January 21, 2022) against Tata Sia Airlines for using the mark ‘Fly Higher’ in their promotional campaigns. The case, Frankfinn Aviation Services Private Ltd. vs…


Trademark renewal in Pakistan

A trademark in Pakistan can be renewed for a period of 10 years. A request to renew a trademark in Pakistan should be made at any time during 6 months before the expiry of the trademark. A trademark application filed post-April 12, 2004, is granted registration for 10 years from the date of…


Maintaining a Trademark in Sri Lanka

A trademark once registered in Sri Lanka, is valid for a period of 10 years from the date of filing of the application or from the date of last renewal, as the case maybe. A trademark can be renewed in Sri Lanka by filing the request on Form M05 and paying the renewal fee. The request to renew the…


Moment Marketing and its legal implications

The power of the internet, in particular that of social media is humungous. People are constantly tied to their phones, eyeing for any latest news that may spring up, be it in the form of a tweet, a meme or a viral video. When used strategically, social media becomes one of the most powerful tools…


Case Brief: Sun Pharmaceuticals v. Cipla Ltd – IP Infringement or Global Medical Crises?

Recently, the Madras High Court, in the case of Sun Pharmaceuticals (Applicant/Defendant) v. Cipla Ltd (Respondent/Plaintiff) refused to vacate the interim injunction against the Applicant, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries. The Respondent, Cipla Ltd, was seeking directions against Sun Pharma, claiming…