The Division Bench of the Delhi High Court recently dismissed the appeal filed by Star Smith Export Private Limited and upheld the interim injunction granted in favour of A. O. Smith Corporation in a trademark infringement dispute. The dispute concerned the defendants’ use of the mark “STAR SMITH” in relation to products such as geysers, water heaters and purification systems. The plaintiffs contended that the impugned mark was deceptively similar to their well-known and registered trademark “AO SMITH.” The Court observed that “SMITH” constituted the dominant element of the competing marks, and considering the identical nature of goods, overlapping trade channels and the likelihood of consumer confusion, the use of the mark “STAR SMITH” was likely to mislead consumers. The Court also took note of the plaintiffs’ prior use and established reputation in India, which predated the defendants’ adoption of the impugned mark.

Accordingly, the appeal was dismissed and the defendants were restrained from using “STAR SMITH” as a trademark, corporate name or domain name. The Court further directed the defendants to change their corporate name and domain name within the timelines prescribed by the Court. RNA Technology and IP Attorneys represented A.O. Smith Corporation in this matter.

We are delighted to share that Suvarna Pandey and Shipra Alisha Philip proudly represented RNA, IP Attorneys at the 19th Annual Global IP Convention (Global IP Convention (GIPC) 2026) held in Bengaluru, India on 4–5 February 2026.

The event brought together leading professionals from across the intellectual property ecosystem, providing a valuable platform for insightful discussions, knowledge exchange, and meaningful networking. Our team was delighted to engage with fellow practitioners, industry experts, and stakeholders, and to contribute to conversations shaping the evolving IP landscape.

The Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA) annual council meeting is a distinguished forum that unites intellectual property professionals from around the world to share insights and strengthen professional networks. This year, the event was held in the Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from November 06-10, 2025. We are proud that our Associate Partner, Suvarna Pandey, and Managing Associate, Eeshani Sharma, represented RNA, Technology and IP Attorneys at APAA 2025. Our participation highlights the dedication to fostering regional dialogue on IP, technology, and innovation, partnering with our peers to build a future that safeguards and promotes creativity and progress across borders.

We are also deeply humbled to receive the Asia IP Awards – Asia IP India Award 2025 for our firm, RNA, Technology and IP Attorneys, a reflection of our unwavering commitment to excellence in intellectual property.

We look forward to continuing our journey of excellence and collaboration in the realm of IP.

A massive thank you to our clients and the Asia IP Magazine research crew for this recognition, and big congratulations to everyone else who made the list! Here’s to continuing our innovation, collaboration, and excellence in intellectual property!

We are thrilled to share that Mohandas Konnanath from RNA, Technology and IP Attorneys recently conducted an Unreal Campaign presentation at Amrita Vidyalayam School in Kovur, Chennai.

The session was attended by over 250 students from classes 9, 10 and 11, who showed incredible enthusiasm and curiosity about the serious issue of counterfeiting.

The students asked thoughtful and engaging questions, reflecting their keen interest in understanding how to identify and prevent counterfeit products – a cause we are deeply passionate about.

A big thank you to Amrita Vidyalayam School for welcoming us and giving us the opportunity to interact with such bright young minds.

International Trademark Association (INTA)

Together, we are building a more aware and vigilant future generation!

We are thrilled to share that Suvarna Pandey from RNA, Technology and IP Attorneys conducted an enlightening and highly engaging webinar titled “Safeguarding Biotech Innovations: The Role of Patents in Life Sciences” at BioNEST–UDSC, University of Delhi South Campus. The session brought together a vibrant mix of researchers, faculty members, students, entrepreneurs, and startup founders from across the life sciences ecosystem, fostering a dynamic and interactive environment.

Drawing from her extensive expertise, Ms. Pandey delved into the critical role that intellectual property, particularly patents, plays in protecting innovations in biotechnology. She provided valuable guidance on effective strategies for drafting robust patent applications, navigating complex prior art searches, and addressing the unique challenges associated with patenting in niche areas such as diagnostics, biologics, and gene-based technologies.

Her talk offered practical insights tailored to the needs of early-stage innovators as well as established professionals, making the session both accessible and deeply informative. The lively Q&A segments and enthusiastic participation from attendees underscored the relevance and impact of the topic in today’s rapidly evolving biotech landscape.

Overall, the webinar served as an enriching knowledge-sharing platform, empowering participants with the tools and understanding needed to safeguard their scientific innovations through strategic patenting.

Bala Thiyagu returned to his alma mater, AVC College (Autonomous), Mayiladuthurai, as a guest lecturer after 24 years. Having completed his undergraduate studies there, it was both exciting and enriching for him to present the Unreal Campaign to second-year B.Com students.

The session focused on the growing threat of counterfeit goods, supported by practical examples and current case studies. He highlighted the importance of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in combating infringement and encouraged students to become conscious and informed consumers.

Over 120 students participated actively, engaging in brand-related quizzes and team activities aimed at identifying genuine versus counterfeit products. Their enthusiasm and curiosity were truly inspiring.

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 practical insights into effective patent drafting and the strategic importance of developing strong, defensible IP portfolios. We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Arun Pratap Singh Rathod and Ms. Jyoti Chhabra from Graphic Era Hill University for their gracious hospitality and efforts in organizing this engaging and impactful workshop. Their dedication to fostering IP awareness and education in the academic community is truly appreciated.

RNA, IP Attorneys remains committed to advancing intellectual property literacy and looks forward to more such collaborative initiatives that inspire and empower the next generation of innovators.

RNA IP Attorneys is pleased to share that we attended FITT Forward 2025, the annual technology summit organized by the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi, on August 21–22, 2025, at the Research & Innovation Park, IIT Delhi.

Ms. Suvarna Pandey from RNA IP Attorneys represented the team at the event, which focused on driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance in alignment with national initiatives such as Startup India, Make in India, Aatma-Nirbhar Bharat, and Viksit Bharat @2047.

We appreciate the opportunity to engage with leading innovators, policymakers, and thought leaders working to advance India’s innovation ecosystem, particularly in the areas of technology transfer, IP, and translational research.

Our Associate Partner, Shabnam Khan, recently delivered an insightful online presentation to students of Grades 10 and 11 at Lotus Valley International School, Noida. The session focused on the critical issue of brands, counterfeiting, and its far-reaching impact on consumers and the global economy, an area that continues to pose significant challenges for businesses and intellectual property rights holders worldwide. Organized under the aegis of the International Trademark Association (INTA) as part of its Unreal Campaign initiative, the session engaged over 400 enthusiastic students and fostered awareness on the importance of brand protection and consumer responsibility.