Delhi High Court Grants Permanent Injunction In Favour Of Allied Blenders In 'Officer's Choice' Trademark Case
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday decreed a trademark infringement suit in favour of Allied Blenders and Distillers Ltd., granting a permanent injunction restraining Batra Breweries and Distilleries Pvt. Ltd. from using the marks “Officer's Choice”, “Officer's Choice Blue”, “Choice”, or any other identical or deceptively similar mark.
Justice Tushar Rao Gedela passed the final decree disposing of the commercial suit filed by Allied Blenders alleging infringement of its well-known whisky trademark by Batra's use of the marks “Principal Choice” and “Principal Choice Premium Whisky.”
Allied Blenders and Distillers Limited filed a suit seeking a permanent injunction to restrain a rival distillery from using the marks “Officer's Choice”, “Officer's Choice Blue,” and “Choice”, or any other identical or deceptively similar mark.
Founded in 1988, Allied Blenders is an Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) company best known for its flagship brand, Officer's Choice Whisky.
In the suit, the company alleged that Batra Breweries' use of the “Principal Choice” marks amounted to trademark infringement. It further informed the Court that Batra Breweries had attempted to sidestep the dispute by changing the impugned mark to “PRINCIPAL PREMIUM” and applying for a corresponding change in its excise licence.
On 11 August 2023, the Court granted Allied Blenders partial interim relief, directing the rival distillery and its management to cease fresh manufacturing or bottling of whisky under the marks 'Principal Choice' and 'Principal Choice Premium Whiskey'.
By October 2023, Batra Breweries challenged the territorial jurisdiction of the Delhi High Court and sought to vacate the interim order.
During this period, Allied Blenders informed the Court that Batra Brewries had changed their mark to 'PRINCIPAL PREMIUM' and applied for a license change with the Excise Department.
On 12 December 2023, because Batra Breweries failed to provide a stock statement as previously ordered, the Court recalled the permission to sell existing stock and confirmed the interim injunction for the duration of the suit.
Throughout early 2024, there was no appearance on behalf of Batra Breweries during hearings for the admission and denial of documents. On 18 October 2024, the Court noted that no one had appeared for Batra Breweries since 16 October 2023. Consequently, Batra Breweries was officially proceeded against ex parte.
Following the ex-parte order, Allied Blenders filed an application under Order XIII-A of the CPC seeking a summary judgment.
On 9 January 2026, the Court heard arguments regarding the suit and the application for summary judgment.
Today (4 February, 2026), the suit was decreed and disposed of accordingly.
For Allied Blenders: Senior Advocate Pravin Anand; Advocates Shrawan Chopra, Achyut Tweari, Krisha Baweja and Parth Malhotra
None for Batra Brewries