The online marketplaces set by e-commerce portals claiming to be Intermediaries were under scrutiny by the Delhi High Court.  The portals currently enjoy immunity under safe harbour provisions laid out in the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000. This was examined by the Single Judge of the Delhi High Court in a series of cases brought by Christian Louboutin…

The Indian Patent Office has released draft amendment rules on December 4th 2018. The majority changes are in view of expediting examination of the applications and the provision of having the bench of controller/s for deciding pre-grant opposition matters in contrast to the single controller as per the existing practice. With respect to expediting the…

In a hard hitting judgement, the Delhi High Court dismissed the case of a logistics company (Navigators Logistics Ltd) that sought to restraint its ex employees and an independent contractor working in logistics sector from using confidential data, customer database, accounts information, airway drawings, airway bills templates, plans, reports, taxes and other financial information. The…

‘Mankind’ and ‘Mercykind’ two words which in common parlance relate to humanity and forgiveness was the bone of contention in an action before the Delhi High Court between two pharmaceutical entities operating under the Mercykind and Mankind tradename.  Mankind Pharma Ltd (Mankind) filed suit against Mercykind Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd (Mercykind) alleging trademark infringement and passing…

India is removing policy barriers to attract investment, while policy initiatives designed to improve IP rights enforcement look set to yield results. However, the availability of infringing, counterfeit and lookalike products is also on the rise. To encourage IP rights holders to invest in the manufacture and distribution of their products in India, the government…

The Madras high Court in an Appeal from order of Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) opined the need and importance of the technical expert/ scientific advisor opinion in the patent disputes. Although, Section 115 of the Indian Patent Act provides for appointment of scientific advisor to assist the courts in providing opinion on technical aspect…

Recently, Amway Corporation (now known as Alticor Inc.) a direct selling company operating in consumer healthcare space obtained “John Doe” order from the Delhi High Court against the shopkeepers/stockist who were selling Alticor products through illegitimate and unauthorized channels. Alticor argued that they are a direct selling entity and in full compliance with the guidelines…

Whether a statement made before the Trademark Registry in response to an examination report will act as an estoppel in a passing off action was the primary question in the instant suit. The Plaintiff, Insecticides (India) Limited (IIL) on the basis of its rights in the marks VICTOR and VICTOR formative marks in respect of…

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) and Emami Limited (Emami) are locked in a battle to control market share over fairness cream for men. HUL’s product is marketed under the brand name “Men’s Fair & Lovely” and Emami’s under the name “FAIR AND HANDSOME”. The bone of contention is the advertisement in Hindi published by HUL pertaining…

Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M), the famous clothing and accessories company was embroiled in a mega trademark dispute with HM Megabrands (Megabrands) before the Delhi High Court. The parties had a cross litigation in Bombay and Delhi courts. Megabrands brought groundless threat proceedings in Bombay and H&M filed a suit for trademark infringement and passing…