Two recent decisions from the Delhi High Court highlight the risks of building brands around common or laudatory terms. In Yatra.com, [CS(COMM) 1099/2024] the Court held that “Yatra” (meaning “journey/travel”) is descriptive and part of everyday parlance. The Plaintiff could not establish that the word had acquired a secondary meaning exclusively pointing to its services….
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. The core issue is whether the use of “Cordelia” by both sides in the hospitality industry creates a likelihood of confusion among…
A patent application filed for a formulation or composition typically involves at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) that is combined with various excipients. The excipients are substances that serve as carriers, stabilizers, solubilizers, preservatives, or enhancers of bioavailability. The resulting formulations not only deliver the API effectively but also improve their safety, stability, shelf-life,…
The Qatar Trademark Office (TMO) has officially embarked on a digital transformation initiative effective August 2025, marking a significant step towards modernizing its intellectual property infrastructure. As part of Qatar’s broader e-government strategy, the move is aimed at streamlining administrative procedures and improving access to trademark services for both local and international rights holders. Key…
With recent international developments and the easing of certain restrictions, Syria is gradually reopening to global commerce. The Syrian IP Office continues to operate, creating a more favourable environment for trademark and patent protection. Trademark: Businesses should ensure their core and house marks remain valid, enforceable, and strategically aligned with broader brand protection. Equal attention…
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. The Bombay High Court recently addressed a dispute concerning allegations of design piracy and passing off between Travel Blue Products India Pvt. Ltd. (TBPL)…
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 and passing off. The Commercial Court (Indore) and the High Court…
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. The Ruling came in Yatra Online Limited Vs Mach Conferences and Events [CS(COMM) 1099/2024], whereby the interim injunction sought by Yatra Online Limited’s…
Homonymous GIs can coexist when supported by longstanding historical use and adequate measures to safeguard consumers The IPAB erred in granting Peru exclusive rights over the GI ‘Pisco’ without recognising Chile’s legitimate interests Both ‘Peruvian Pisco’ and ‘Chilean Pisco’ could be registered with clear qualifiers In a significant decision for geographical indication (GI) jurisprudence in…
RNA, IP Attorneys was pleased to be represented by Ms. Suvarna Pandey as the Resource Person for the workshop titled “Mastering the Art of Patent Writing”, held on 26th August 2025 at Graphic Era Hill University (GEHU), Dehradun. The session brought together a dynamic group of researchers, innovators, and academicians, with whom Ms. Pandey shared…
