Ranjan Narula

Prior Publication Winds Blow Against Atomberg’s Fan Design Claim

Atomberg Technologies Pvt. Ltd. recently escalated its legal battle against Luker Electric Technologies Pvt. Ltd. to the Division Bench (DB, Two Judge Bench)of the Bombay High Court, following the refusal of a Single Judge to grant an interim injunction in a suit alleging design infringement.

Common words make weak trademarks- Lessons from the Delhi High Court

While common words are excellent for recall and marketing, they are fragile in the courtroom. A strong naming and branding strategy must balance consumer appeal with legal defensibility to build a robust and distinctive brand identity.

Cruises vs. Inns: Delhi High Court Drops Anchor on ‘Cordelia’ Trademark Dispute

The Delhi High Court has stepped into a trademark tussle between Waterways Leisure Tourism Pvt. Ltd. (WLTP), the company behind Cordelia Cruises, and a group of defendants operating under the name Cordelia Inn.

Miniso restrained by the Bombay High Court in the Neck Pillow Design Row

A design can have both functional and aesthetic elements. Protection is granted if the design is not dictated solely by function and there exist alternative designs to achieve the same function.

Supreme Court Rejects Pernod Ricard’s Challenge against "London Pride"

The primary issue in this appeal before the Supreme Court is whether Pernod Ricard (the Appellant) is entitled to an interim injunction restraining Karanveer Singh Chhabra (the Respondent) from using the "LONDON PRIDE" trademark and associated trade dress on grounds of trade mark infringement.

‘Yatra’ Brand Dispute Decoded: Delhi High Court Rules ‘Yatra’ to be Descriptive

The Delhi High Court holds that the word “Yatra”, meaning “journey” or “travel” in Hindi, is generic and descriptive and therefore cannot be monopolised as a trademark in relation to travel services.

Pisco wars: Delhi High Court upholds ‘Peruvian’ and ‘Chilean’ GIs in landmark homonymous GIs dispute

In a significant decision for geographical indication (GI) jurisprudence in India, the Delhi High Court has reaffirmed that homonymous GIs can coexist where justified by historical usage and consumer protection (Asociacion De Productores De Pisco AG v Union of India).

Kubota Wins Jurisdictional Challenge in Patent Dispute

he court emphasized that the threshold for invoking this right is merely an "offer for sale" and not necessarily an actual sale. 

Inventive step: Why Mere Mosaicing of Prior Art Falls Short

The article discusses Appeal filed at Bombay High Court against refusal of patent application No. 1851/MUM/2015.  

‘MAYO’ Trademark Protected: Court Blocks Use by Indian Medical Centre

In a significant ruling delivered on July 28, 2025, the two judge Bench of the Delhi High Court (Division Bench) dismissed an appeal filed by Bodhisattva Charitable Trust and maintained the injunction passed against them by the Single Judge from using the names such as Mayo Medical Centre.

No automatic Right for Group companies to Enforce Trademark Rights

In a recent decision, the Delhi High Court dismissed a trademark and copyright infringement suit filed by Coromandel Indag Products India Limited (CIPL/Plaintiff) against Sumitomo Chemical Company Limited (Sumitomo) and another defendant, ruling that CIPL lacked the legal standing to pursue it.

ZINOLVITA Fails the Similarity Test: Madras High Court Shields ZINCOVIT in Trademark Battle

In a decisive ruling, the Madras High Court has upheld the trademark rights of Apex Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., restraining Knoll Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. from using the mark ZINOLVITA for its pharmaceutical products.

Trademark Win for KRBL! Court Says ‘KRB’ Too Close for Comfort

In a recent judgment, the Division Bench of the Delhi High Court upheld an interim injunction granted by the District Judge (Commercial Courts), restraining the defendants, KRB Enterprises and others, from using the mark ‘KRB’ or any other mark deceptively similar to ‘KRBL’.

Ensuring Patent Rights are Enforceable and Effective

Interim relief is crucial in patent cases, as trials can be lengthy. Without temporary protection, patentees risk losing the value of their patents due to unauthorized use. Measures like security deposits help enforce damages awards.

Colour of Confusion: Court Restrains Use of ‘Rainbow’ in Health Sector Feud

Rainbow Children’s Medicare Limited (RCML), a well-known hospital chain based in Hyderabad specializing in paediatrics, obstetrics, and gynaecology faced infringement of its rights in the mark/name RAINBOW by a Bengaluru-based firm, Rainbow Healthcare (RH).

Fair Play questioned: PPL Faces Setback in Licencing Fee Dispute

The Court holds not making copyrighted work available on unreasonable terms could amount to refusal. The court emphasised the balance to be drawn between the interest of the owner of the copyright in protecting their works and the interest of the public to have access to the works.

A Prescription for Confusion: Court Halts Use of 'Shri Ramchandra' in Medical College Name

In a recent trademark dispute before the Madras High Court, the petitioner, Sri Ramachandra Educational and Health Trust (SREHT) secured an interim injunction to prevent Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Vaidyakiya Pratishthan Sanchalit (BAVPS) from using the mark "Shri Ramchandra".

KROMALITE vs CHROMALITE: Brand Battles in the Beauty Industry

In a recent ruling that reinforces the strength of prior use in trademark law, the Delhi High Court granted interim relief to FDC Limited in a passing off action against Palsons Derma Private Limited.

Behind The Likes: Regulating Influencer Responsibility

The case highlights the tension between the freedom of speech of social media influencers and the reputation rights of businesses.

The Beverage companies take a Swing at each other

The case involves a dispute over the use of the trademark "SWING" for energy drinks. Hector Beverages Private Limited (Hector), claimed that they have been using the mark "SWING" since 2017 for juices and have acquired significant goodwill.

Protection of Engineering Drawings- Copyright Vs Design

Supreme Court recently examined interplay between copyright and design protection in a dispute concerning infringement of intellectual property rights regarding the design and manufacturing of internal parts of cryogenic storage tanks and distribution systems used for transporting industrial gases.

IP firm seeks to restrain former employees from disclosing confidential information

The case highlights that apart from claims of ‘trade secrets’ and ‘confidential information’ the attorneys working with a law firm are bound by attorney client communication being privileged and cannot be divulged to a third party under any circumstances.

Inaction for 14 years leads to Encouragement to use leading to Acquiescence concludes Madras High Co

The two pharmaceutical companies, Mankind Pharma Limited (Petitioner), and Micro Labs Limited, (Respondent) are at loggerheads over the trademarks "DOLOBAN" and "DOLOBENE," both associated with pharmaceutical products.

Non-Use Cancellation Action under the Indian Trademarks Act: An Overview of Provisions and Procedure

The Indian Trademarks Act, 1999, provides a comprehensive legal framework for the registration, protection, and enforcement of trademarks in India. Among its provisions, the Act includes mechanisms to challenge and cancel trademarks that are not in use.

Music composer has no right to license Musical Rights

Saregama India Limited (Saregama) filed a suit against Vels Film International Limited (Defendant no 1) and others, at the Delhi High Court, for infringing its copyright in the song “En Iniya Pon Nilave” from the film “Moodu Pani” by using it in the film “Aghathiyaa”.

The Division Bench holds, Bar Council Rules and the Advocate’s Act do not Prohibit, the Gift of Good

The appeals before the Delhi High Court challenged the correctness of judgments by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) regarding the assessment years 2009-10 and 2011-12.

Madras High Court rules in favour of ‘Poomex’ and restrains ‘Poomak’

The legal battle between Poomex Clothing Company, a long-time user and registered proprietor of the trademark ‘Poomex’ for inner garments since 2003, and S. Thirumurugan before the Madras High Court revolves around allegations of trademark infringement, passing off, and damages.

Abstract Theory not supported by Scientific Evidence lacks Novelty and Inventive Step

The appellants through this Appeal before the Delhi High Court sought to overturn a decision by the Assistant Controller of Patents and Designs refusing their patent application.

Letters Rogatory, a Valuable Tool for the Collection of Evidence across Borders.

The case highlights a) the importance of international judicial cooperation and the role of Letters Rogatory in obtaining evidence across borders b) how the Hague Convention facilitates access to evidence in foreign jurisdictions.

Supreme Court stays Bombay High Court’s Injunction against ‘Burger King’ outlet in Pune.

The Supreme Court of India has provided relief to the appellants, Ms. Anahita Irani and Mr. Shapoor Irani, by staying the Bombay High Court's order that had prohibited them from using the 'Burger King' trademark for their restaurant business.