Delhi High Court Temporarily Restrains 'The Inc Magazine' Operator From Using Mansueto Ventures' 'Inc.' Mark

The Delhi High Court has recently granted an ex-parte ad-interim injunction restraining a Pune-based entity from using the mark “Inc” for a magazine, website, and related publishing services, finding it identical or deceptively similar to Mansueto Ventures LLC's “Inc.” brand.

Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, in an order dated April 21, 2026, held that the rival marks were identical, observing that there was “no distinction between the two,” and noted material on record showing unauthorised solicitations riding on the plaintiff's established goodwill and reputation.

The court was hearing a suit filed by Mansueto Ventures LLC, a US-based media company and owner of the “Inc.” and “Fast Company” brands, against Dnyaneshwar Ashok Kamble, trading as Prime View Media and Technology.

Mansueto Ventures submitted that it has held trademark registration for the word mark “Inc.” in India since 2008 and has built substantial global and Indian goodwill through its business magazine and digital platforms catering to entrepreneurs and business leaders.

According to the plaintiff, the defendant was operating a magazine and website under the name “The Inc Magazine” and using a mark identical or deceptively similar to its own, targeting a similar audience of entrepreneurs and business professionals. It also placed on record complaints received from subscribers to demonstrate confusion caused by the defendant's activities.

The plaintiff further alleged that the defendant was purporting to be based in the United States and was sending emails and communications using the impugned mark to solicit participation, thereby deriving unjust enrichment from the reputation attached to the “Inc.” brand.

Taking note of the material on record, the court held, “Having regard to the above, it is evident that the plaintiff has been able to establish a prima facie strong case in its favour and against the defendant. The balance of convenience lies in favour of the plaintiff. The plaintiff shall suffer irreparable loss and injury which may not be adequately compensated in monetary terms in case ex-parte ad-interim injunction orders are not passed against the defendant.”

Accordingly, the court restrained the defendant, its agents and all persons acting on its behalf from using the mark “Inc” or any deceptively similar mark as a trademark, trade name, domain name, email address or social media handle, including in relation to the domain 'theincmagazine.com' and accounts on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn, so as to pass off its services as those of the plaintiff.

The matter is now listed before the Joint Registrar on July 21, 2026 for completion of service and pleadings and before the court on October 05, 2026.