The ever flourishing cross-border trade and the expansion of global markets has led to shedding of more importance on parallel importation and effective implementation of ranging price gaps. If we were to understand the concept of exhaustion of a trade mark in simple terms, we would break it down as one of the limitations under the intellectual property law. Once any good which are protected by an IP right are smarketed- by an enterprise or by anyone else with the prior conse

In a recent judgment, a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court (“Court”) has served an important and timely reminder that damages must necessarily be based on evidence which proves that the claimant suffered actual loss, and that any calculation based on speculative assumptions would be liable to be set aside.   The judgment came in an appeal by the Defendant/Appellant challenging a Trial Court decision where the Defendant’s mark “Amrit Nayan Jyoti” was found to be deceptivel

The Bombay High Court recently upheld an interim injunction granted by the District Court, Nagpur restraining Ifra Sheikh (“Appellant”) from using Mobile Bidi Traders’ (“Respondent”) registered trademark ONLINE BIDI.   Before the District Court, the Respondent asserted that it is engaged in the manufacture and sale of bidis since 2005 and holds a valid trademark registration for the ONLINE BIDI mark since 2017, along with copyright registration for its label . As per the Res

In the modern world, a corporation’s primary competitive strength is less derived by its physical capital and more by its intangible assets. Among these, trade marks play a pivotal role in shaping brand identity, market presence, and long-term commercial value. This article explores the rising practice of leveraging trade marks as collateral, and how businesses can use the value of their brands to access funds.   Trade Marks as Collateral: Concept and Method   A trade mark wh

The Delhi High Court has, in a recent case, restrained Patanjali Ayurved Limited (“Patanjali”) from broadcasting a disparaging advertisement in a suit filed by Dabur India Limited (“Dabur”).   Recently, Dabur came across an advertisement by Patanjali where it portrayed all Chyawanprash products as “ dhoka ” (deception) and implied that only Patanjali’s own Patanjali Special Chyawanprash represented the “true power of ayurveda”.   Dabur submitted that the advertisement labe

In a recent order, the Delhi High Court granted ex parte interim relief in a trademark dispute filed by Novalife Consultancy Pvt. Ltd. (“Plaintiff”) against Mr. Bharat Sachdeva and his associated concerns Novvalife Karnal and Novvalife Sri Ganganagar (“Defendants”), concerning the use of the mark NOVVALIFE, which is deceptively similar to the Plaintiff’s registered mark NOVALIFE.   The learned counsel for the Plaintiff contended that the Plaintiff, engaged in migration adviso

Recently, the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi, dismissed a plea filed by Suparshva Swabs India (“Appellant”), the manufacturer of cotton buds and hygiene products, seeking, inter alia, a decree of permanent injunction restraining AGN International & Ors. (“Respondents”) from using the mark TULIP or AGN TULIP in relation to perfumes, cosmetics, and allied goods, on the grounds of trademark infringement and passing off. One of the key grounds for rejection was that the Appellant fa

In the evolving landscape of commercial litigation in India, Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015, has emerged as a pivotal procedural checkpoint. It mandates pre-institution mediation  for all commercial disputes, unless the suit “contemplates any urgent interim relief.”  This provision, while aimed at reducing litigation and promoting amicable resolution, has been a topic of contest in the realm of Intellectual Property Rights (“IPR”) litigation, where urgency is

The Delhi High Court recently decided a rectification petition filed by Ardo Medical AG, seeking cancellation of the trade mark ARDO Device, subject of Registration No. 4578111, in Class 44, in the name of M/s. SDB International.   The petitioner, Ardo Medical AG, a Swiss company, engaged in development, production, and distribution of products for premature babies and newborns, has been operating under its mark for over 25 years. It uses and owns registrations for its mark i