Delhi High Court Declares “MULTANI” A Well-Known Trademark For Ayurvedic Pharma Products

The Delhi High Court has declared Multani Pharmaceuticals Limited's “MULTANI” mark as a well-known trademark for Ayurvedic pharmaceutical products.

A single-judge bench of Justice Jyoti Singh held that the mark has acquired extensive recognition over decades of use and promotion, observing:

“Plaintiff's long-standing reputation and extensive and continuous use of the mark MULTANI across jurisdictions reflects its significant commercial presence. The mark has received enviable recognition in India and abroad and this is testament of its distinctiveness in respect of Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical Products and resultant reputation and goodwill of the Plaintiff. Hence, the mark MULTANI satisfies the criteria and parameters set out in Section 11(6) and (7) of the 1999 Act for declaring it as a well-known mark for Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical Products,”

The court noted that the brand's reputation is further strengthened by its WHO-GMP certification, a distinction held by only about 50 of nearly 9,000 Ayurvedic manufacturers in India.

Multani Pharmaceuticals Limited had approached the court against Mayuri Bhupal Bhamare seeking a permanent injunction against trademark infringement and a declaration that its “MULTANI” mark be recognised as a well-known trademark.

The dispute arose in August 2024, when the company became aware of Mayuri Bhupal Bhamare's trademark application for a mark incorporating “MULTANI”. The company submitted that Mayuri Bhupal Bhamare was using the impugned mark for identical skincare and hair care products, including anti-hair fall kits and handmade soaps, which could lead to consumer confusion.

Tracing its legacy, the company told the court that it began as a clinic in Lahore in 1905, followed by the formal establishment of Multani Pharmacy in 1938 and the launch of its first product, MULTANI KUKA Tablets. It added that the mark has been honestly and extensively used as a house mark across nearly 500 products, including well-known offerings such as Multani Pachmeena and Multani KUKA Cough Syrup.

Multani Pharmaceuticals further pointed to extensive promotion and advertising of the brand across print, television, and digital platforms, including endorsements by celebrities such as Boman Irani, Shakti Kapoor, and Soha Ali Khan.

The court had earlier granted an ad-interim injunction on October 24, 2024. The parties subsequently entered into a settlement agreement on June 12, 2025, which was placed on record.

While decreeing the suit in terms of the settlement, the court examined the company's request for well-known trademark status and held that the material on record satisfied the parameters laid down under Sections 11(6) and (7) of the Act.

Accordingly, the court passed a decree declaring “MULTANI” a well-known trademark in respect of Ayurvedic pharmaceutical products.