LiveLawBiz IPR Weekly Digest: August 03 - August 09, 2026
Riya Rathore
10 Aug 2026 3:51 PM IST
SUPREME COURT
Supreme Court Upholds PepsiCo's Lay's Potato Variety Registration
Case Title: Kavitha Kuruganti Versus PepsiCo India Holdings Pvt. Ltd.
Case Number: Special Leave Petition (C) Nos.10320-10321 of 2024
Citation: 2026 LLBiz SC 260
The Supreme Court has upheld a Delhi High Court order concerning PepsiCo's registration of its Lay's potato variety. The top court clarified that farmers can claim protection under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights (PPVFR) Act if PepsiCo initiates proceedings against them.
Supreme Court Refuses To Stay Delhi HC Order Restraining Kent RO From Using KENT Mark For Fans
Case Title: KENT RO SYSTEMS LIMITED VS. KENT CABLES PRIVATE LIMITED
Case Number: DIARY NO. - 27701/2026
The Supreme Court refused to stay a Delhi High Court interim order that restrained Kent RO Systems from manufacturing and selling fans under the 'KENT' mark. Concurrently, the court permitted Kent Cables Pvt. Ltd. to continue using the mark. The Delhi High Court had held that Kent Cables was the prior adopter of the mark for electrical goods and had prima facie established prior use
HIGH COURTS
DELHI HIGH COURT
Delhi High Court Orders Restoration Of 'BLUE CHIP' Trademark, Holds Removal Without Notice Invalid
Case Title: Amrit Singh Mehta Trading As Mehta Cosmetics vs. Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks
Case Number: W.P.(C)-IPD 5/2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (DEL) 791
On August 4, Justice Jyoti Singh directed the Trade Marks Registry to restore the trademark 'BLUE CHIP' belonging to Amrit Singh Mehta. The court held that the removal of the mark from the Register without issuing the mandatory notice required under Section 25(3) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, violated statutory provisions.
Case Title: TABASSUM JAMAL HASHMI V/S ASHOK KUMAR & ORS.
Case Number: CS(COMM) - 812/2026
On Wednesday, August 5, Justice Jyoti Singh directed intermediaries to take down specified online URLs hosting content that actor Tabu alleged was defamatory, pornographic, or otherwise violative of her personality rights. Senior Advocate Swati Sukumar appeared for Tabu.
Delhi High Court Frames Guidelines To Distinguish 'Mental Acts' From Patentable Inventions
Case Title: T-Mobile International AG and Co. Kg. v. The Controller General Of Patents, Designs And Trademarks & Anr.
Case Number: C.A.(COMM.IPD-PAT) 149/2022
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (DEL) 786
On August 4, 2026, a bench of Justice Tushar Rao Gedela proposed a set of guidelines designed to help patent examiners differentiate between abstract human thought ("mental acts") and genuine technical innovations. The decision arose from an appeal by T-Mobile International against the rejection of its patent application.
Case Title: MHG IP Holding Singapore Pte Ltd & Ors v. Anantara Galleria and Anantara & Anr.
Case Number: CS(COMM) 834/2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (DEL) 785
On August 3, Justice Jyoti Singh restrained the Ahmedabad-based real estate project “Anantara Galleria” and its operators from using the mark “ANANTARA” and the domain name “www.anantara.life”. The court held that the marks were deceptively similar to those of the plaintiff, part of the Minor Hotel Group.
Delhi High Court Protects Physics Wallah Founder Alakh Pandey's Personality Rights
Case Title: ALAKH PANDEY V/S JOHN DOE(S) AND ORS
Case Number: CS(COMM) - 835/2026
The Delhi High Court directed intermediaries to remove specified infringing content misusing Physics Wallah founder Alakh Pandey's personality rights. However, the court reserved its decision regarding a YouTube video calling him "Scamwala".
Physics Wallah Founder Alakh Pandey Moves Delhi High Court Over Alleged Misuse Of Personality Rights
Case Title: ALAKH PANDEY V/S JOHN DOE(S) AND ORS
Case Number: CS(COMM) - 835/2026
On Tuesday, August 4, Alakh Pandey moved the Delhi High Court seeking protection of his personality rights against unauthorized commercial exploitation. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani directed the petitioner to submit a defendant-wise tabulated chart classifying the alleged infringements before considering interim relief.
Actor Tabu Moves Delhi High Court Over Alleged Personality Rights Violations
Case Title: TABASSUM JAMAL HASHMI V/S ASHOK KUMAR & ORS.
Case Number: CS(COMM) - 812/2026
On Tuesday, August 4, actor Tabu approached the Delhi High Court seeking the removal of online content that she alleges disparages her and violates her personality rights across social media, websites, and e-commerce portals. Justice Jyoti Singh heard submissions regarding the obligations of intermediaries to remove the disputed content.
Delhi High Court Orders Takedown of Videos Disparaging Patanjali, Including 'Cause Cancer' Claims
Case Title: PATANJALI AYURVED LIMITED & ORS. V/S DAMIT GALHOT & ORS
Case Number: CS(COMM) - 736/2026
On Tuesday, August 4, Justice Jyoti Singh directed Google and Meta to take down 19 videos that allegedly disparaged Patanjali and its products by calling them "zeher" (poison) and claiming they "cause cancer". The court also restrained the identified uploader from publishing the impugned content further.
BOMBAY HIGH COURT
Bombay High Court Restrains 'Bislie' Water Maker From Using Mark In Bisleri Trademark Suit
Case Title: Bisleri International Private Limited v. Belaguli Mahalingegowda Kirankumar
Case Number: INTERIM APPLICATION (L) NO. 18664 OF 2026 WITH LEAVE PETITION NO. 208 OF 2026 WITH COURT RECEIVER'S REPORT NO. 292 OF 2026 IN COMMERCIAL IP SUIT (L.) NO. 18582 OF 2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC(BOM) 443
The Bombay High Court has temporarily restrained a Karnataka-based packaged drinking water manufacturer from using the mark “Bislie”. Justice Madhav J. Jamdar found the mark to be prima facie deceptively similar to Bisleri International's registered “Bisleri” trademark.
Case Title: Khadi & Village Industries Commission v. Jaishukh N. Bhuta & Ors.
Case Number: INTERIM APPLICATION NO.5867 OF 2025 IN COMMERCIAL IP SUIT NO.580 OF 2022
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC(BOM) 442
The Bombay High Court held that the Mumbai Khadi & Village Industries Association (MKVIA) wilfully breached a 2022 injunction restraining it from manufacturing, selling, or advertising products under the “Khadi” mark. Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan observed that MKVIA did exactly what it was prohibited from doing and imposed costs of ₹2.5 lakh.
Bombay High Court Directs Meta To Remove AI Deepfake Video Impersonating Delta Corp Promoter
Case Title: Delta Corp Limited v. Meta Platforms Inc.
Case Number: INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 3875 OF 2026 IN SUIT NO. 167 OF 2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC(BOM) 439
On August 6, Justice Abhay Ahuja directed Meta Platforms to take down an AI-generated deepfake video showing Delta Corp promoter Jaydev Mody announcing the launch of an online casino application. The court also ordered the removal of social media pages allegedly impersonating the company.
Bombay High Court Pulls Up Masala Maker For Only Paying 'Lip Service' To Trademark Injunction
Case Title: Sky Enterprise Private Limited v. Abaad Masala & Co.
Case Number: INTERIM APPLICATION (L) NO. 2372 OF 2025 IN COMMERCIAL IP SUIT NO. 279 OF 2020
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC(BOM) 434
Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan held that cosmetic changes to a trademark cannot be used to sidestep an injunction. The court ruled that Abaad Masala & Co.'s revised branding failed to maintain a "safe distance" from Sky Enterprise's registered marks, noting that "lip service" to a court order renders it ineffective.
Actor Shruti Haasan Moves Bombay High Court Over AI Deepfakes, Personality Rights Violations
Case Title: Shruti Haasan v. Mahalaxmi Arts And Craft Works & Ors.
Case Number: Commercial IP Suit (L) No. 26069 of 2026
Actress Shruti Haasan has moved the Bombay High Court with a commercial suit seeking ₹15 crore in damages. She alleges that unauthorised merchandise sellers, online platforms, and unidentified parties have violated her personality and publicity rights by using her identity without consent. She also alleged the creation and circulation of sexually explicit AI-generated deepfake content featuring her likeness. Justice Abhay Ahuja heard the matter.
CALCUTTA HIGH COURT
Case Title: The Indian Performing Right Society Limited v. Hotel Appolo & Tours Private Limited
Case Number: FMA 322 of 2025
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (CAL) 187
A division bench of Justice Debangsu Basak and another judge restrained Hotel Appolo from communicating IPRS-owned literary and musical works to guests through TV sets in hotel rooms without a licence. The court held that routing cable television connections to hotel rooms constitutes "communication to the public" under the Copyright Act, 1957.
KARNATAKA HIGH COURT
Case Title: Pare Innovations Private Limited v. Vox Building Products Private Limited & Ors.
Case Number: WRIT PETITION NO. 20090 OF 2026 (GM-CPC)
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC(KAR) 134
The Karnataka High Court set aside a commercial court's order refusing to reject a plaint in a commercial disparagement suit, observing that the order was "bereft of reasons". Justice Lalitha Kanneganti heard the writ petition challenging the lower court's decision in the underlying suit filed by Vox Building Products and Vox Interior.
MADRAS HIGH COURT
Madras High Court Restrains Piracy Of Lokesh Kanagaraj-Starrer 'DC' Ahead Of Release
Case Title: Sun TV Network Limited v. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited & Ors.
Case Number: OA Nos. 805 & 806 of 2026 in C.S(COMM DIV) NO. 233 OF 2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC(MAD) 225
The Madras High Court restrained internet service providers and cable TV operators from facilitating the apprehended copyright violation of Sun TV Network's Tamil film DC. Justice K. Kumaresh Babu on August 5 passed the order on two applications ahead of the film's theatrical release.
Madras High Court Restrains Three Pharma Companies From Using 'ORG-9' Trademark
Case Title: Nouveau Medicament Private Limited v. Orange Biotech Private Limited & Ors.
Case Number: OA Nos. 724 to 726 of 2026 in C.S(COMM DIV) NO. 209 OF 2026 and A NO. 3151 OF 2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC(MAD) 216
On July 27, Justice K. Kumaresh Babu granted an ad-interim temporary injunction restraining three Haryana-based pharmaceutical companies from using the mark "ORG-9". The court found that the mark prima facie infringed the registered trademark "ARG-9" owned by Chennai-based Nouveau Medicament Private Limited.
Madras High Court Refuses To Stall Release Of AI-Enhanced Kochadaiiyaan Over 2014 Financing Dispute
Case Title: Ad Bureau Advertising Pvt. Ltd. v. Mediaone Global Entertainment Ltd. & Ors.
Case Number: O.A.No.181 of 2026 in C.S.No.545 of 2015
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC(MAD) 215
The Madras High Court refused to stop the release of an AI-enhanced version of the 2014 Rajinikanth film Kochadaiiyaan. Justice K. Kumaresh Babu held that the film's financier could not seek to restrain its release because it had failed to seek relief against the fifth defendant, who is the current assignee of the film.
COMMERCIAL COURTS
Kolkata Court Restrains TV19 From Using Marks Deceptively Similar To TV9
Case Title: Associated Broadcasting Company Pvt Ltd v. TV 19 Network & Ors.
Case Number: TS (Com) – 33/2026
The Commercial Court at Rajarhat, Kolkata, restrained TV19 Network from using the marks "TV19", "TV19 Network", and "TV19 Network Bangla". Judge Ishani Chakravarty Banerjee observed that the overall visual presentation, branding, and color schemes gave rise to a prima facie apprehension of deception among consumers looking for registered "TV9" marks.
Delhi Commercial Court Orders Blocking Of Websites Selling Pirated TrendyTech Course
Case Title: Trendytech Insights LLP v. John Doe & Ors.
Case Number: CS (COMM) 405/2026
A Commercial Court in Saket, New Delhi, granted an ex-parte interim injunction restraining the unauthorized sale and distribution of pirated copies of TrendyTech's Master Program course. The court directed DoT, MeitY, and ISPs to block access to the infringing websites