The Delhi High Court on 27 October granted interim protection to MHG IP Holding Singapore Pte Ltd and other entities associated with Minor Hotels Group, restraining Antara Resort and Banquets from using the marks “ANTARA” and “ANTARA RESORT & BANQUETS”.
Justice Tejas Karia held that the use of a mark deceptively similar to a well-known hospitality brand, for overlapping services, can warrant an interim injunction where the adoption appears prima facie dishonest and intended to exploit the brand's goodwill. The Bench observed:
“The Defendant's use of the Impugned Marks is prima facie dishonest and nothing but an attempt to ride on the goodwill and reputation of the Plaintiffs' Marks.”
The plaintiffs told the Court that they had used the “ANANTARA” marks since 2000 and held trademark registrations in India covering several categories, including hospitality, resort and spa services.
They said they discovered Antara Resort and Banquets in April 2026, allegedly using similar marks to offer hospitality, resort, banquet, wedding and event services.
Further, they alleged that the defendant promoted its business through social media and online platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, WedMeGood and WeddingWire. They also submitted that they had issued a cease-and-desist notice in April 2026 and sent subsequent reminders but received no response.
Lastly, the plaintiffs argued that the similarity between the marks, the overlapping services and the common customer base were likely to mislead consumers into believing that the businesses were connected.
The Court found a prima facie case of trademark infringement and characterised the dispute as one of “triple identity”, involving identical or deceptively similar marks, overlapping services, and the same trade channels and consumer base.
It observed that consumers of average intelligence and imperfect recollection could mistake the marks and become confused about the source of the services. The Bench also found that the balance of convenience favoured the plaintiffs and that the absence of interim protection could cause them irreparable injury.
Accordingly, the High Court restrained Antara Resort and Banquets and those acting on its behalf from using “ANTARA”, “ANTARA RESORT & BANQUETS” or any identical or deceptively similar mark for hospitality services in a manner that infringes or passes off the plaintiffs' marks.
The matter will next be heard on 8 February 2027.
For MHG IP Holding: Senior Advocate Chander M. Lall with Advocates Amit Panigrahi, Samanyu Bhatnagar, Sahil Arora & Ishikaa Seth