LiveLawBiz IPR Weekly Digest: August 17 - August 23, 2026
Riya Rathore
24 Aug 2026 2:54 PM IST
SUPREME COURT
Case Title: MATRIMONY.COM LIMITED vs FREEELECTIVE NETWORK PRIVATE LIMITED
Case Number: SLP(C) 28561 of 2026
The Supreme Court has asked matchmaking app Matrimony.com Ltd and FreeElective Network Pvt Ltd to explore an amicable settlement in their ongoing trademark dispute concerning Matrimony.com's 'Jodii' matchmaking app and FreeElective's registered 'Jodi365' mark. The Court was hearing Matrimony.com's challenge against a Madras High Court Division Bench order that restrained it from using the mark 'Jodii', which set aside a 2022 Single Judge order. The Division Bench had held that the mark was deceptively similar to 'Jodi365'.
Case Title: Hotel Appolo & Tours Private Limited vs The Indian Performing Right Society Limited
Case Number: SLP(C) 28489/2026
The Supreme Court stayed a Calcutta High Court judgment holding that providing cable television connections to individual hotel rooms constitutes "communication to the public" under the Copyright Act, 1957, and thus amounts to copyright infringement. A Bench comprising Justices K.V. Viswanathan and Arun Palli issued notice and stayed the operation of the judgment while hearing the challenge filed by Hotel Appolo & Tours.
HIGH COURTS
DELHI HIGH COURT
Delhi High Court Restrains 'HOTEL JEROME'S HOLIDAY INN' From Using 'HOLIDAY INN' Trademark
Case Title: Six Continents Hotels, Inc. v. Mr. Jerome Fernandes
Case Number: CS(COMM) 887/2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (DEL) 861
The Delhi High Court has granted an ex-parte ad-interim injunction restraining hotel operator Jerome Fernandes from using the name “HOTEL JEROME'S HOLIDAY INN” or any deceptively similar mark. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani directed Fernandes to remove advertisements and listings of the hotel from third-party online platforms, including Goibibo, following a trademark infringement and passing-off suit by Six Continents Hotels, Inc., proprietor of the registered "HOLIDAY INN" mark.
Delhi High Court Cancels 'DAPLOGIN' Trademark Registration Over Similarity With Dr. Reddy's 'DAPLO'
Case Title: Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited v. M/S Razenta Pharmaceuticals Private Limited & Anr.
Case Number: C.O. (COMM.IPD-TM) 122/2025
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (DEL) 856
The Delhi High Court has cancelled Razenta Pharmaceuticals' trademark registration for “DAPLOGIN”. Justice Jyoti Singh allowed Dr. Reddy's Laboratories' rectification petition under Section 57 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, and directed the Registrar of Trade Marks to rectify the register by removing the mark within six weeks. The court held that the mark "DAPLO" is neither publici juris nor common to the trade, and "DAPLOGIN" is deceptively similar to it.
HUL Drags Beco To Delhi High Court Over Ads Claiming Surf Excel, Vim Cause Skin Allergies
Case Title: HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED V/S KWICK LIVING (I) PRIVATE LIMITED
Case Number: CS(COMM) - 904/2026
Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has dragged cleaning products brand Beco (run by Kwick Living (I) Private Limited) to the Delhi High Court over allegations of trademark infringement and product disparagement. HUL moved the court alleging that Beco's advertisements disparage its detergent brands Surf Excel and Vim by falsely claiming they contain chemicals that cause skin irritation and allergies. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani heard submissions and issued notice in the matter.
Delhi High Court Temporarily Restrains MVP Healthcare From Using 'House Of Doctors' Mark
Case Title: House of Diagnostics LLP & Ors. v. MVP Healthcare Pvt. Ltd.
Case Number: CS(COMM) 872/2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC(DEL) 846
The Delhi High Court has temporarily restrained MVP Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. from using “HOD House of Doctors” or any other mark deceptively similar to the "H.O.D." and "House of Diagnostics" trademarks of the HOD Group. Justice Jyoti Singh passed the ex parte ad interim order in a suit filed by the HOD Group, which provides diagnostic and healthcare services.
Delhi High Court Temporarily Restrains Sale Of 'THUNDER 15000' Beer In InBrew's Trademark Suit
Case Title: InBrew Beverages Private Limited v. Kinjore Brewery Private Limited & Anr.
Case Number: CS(COMM) 491/2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC(DEL) 845
The Delhi High Court restrained the Bhutan-based manufacturer of 'THUNDER 15000' and its distributor in Jharkhand from dealing in products under that mark. Justice Jyoti Singh passed the interim order in a trademark infringement suit filed by InBrew Beverages Private Limited to protect its registered 'THUNDERBOLT' beer brand, with the restraint remaining in force until December 21, 2026.
Delhi High Court Upholds Injunction Against 'Noviets' Pharma In Trademark Dispute With Novartis
Case Title: Noviets Pharma & Ors. v. Novartis AG & Ors.
Case Number: FAO(OS) (COMM) 143/2026 & CM APPL. 35368/2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC(DEL) 844
The Delhi High Court dismissed an appeal filed by Noviets Pharma against an interim order restraining it from using the mark 'NOVIETS'. A Division Bench of Justice V. Kameswar Rao and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora upheld the Single Judge's order, finding prima facie that the mark was deceptively similar to Novartis AG's registered 'NOVARTIS' trademark.
Case Title: KRBL Limited v. M/s J.R. Rice India Pvt. Ltd. & Anr.
Case Number: CS(COMM) 701/2016
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC(DEL) 843
The Delhi High Court has allowed KRBL Limited to amend its 2016 suit against J.R. Rice India Pvt. Ltd., allowing it to add a claim of trademark infringement over the use of “ROYAL GATE” with a device of “INDIA GATE." The suit originally sought relief on the ground of passing off. Justice Jyoti Singh allowed the amendment on August 12, 2026, while directing KRBL to pay Rs. 50,000 to the Delhi High Court Advocates Welfare Trust within two weeks. The cost was imposed as the court found that no plausible explanation had been given for the delay in seeking the amendment.
Case Title: Rakesh Jain v. Ga Se Gaanv Essence LLP
Case Number: CS(COMM) 856/2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (DEL) 857
The Delhi High Court on 10 August granted an ex-parte ad-interim injunction restraining FMCG company Ga Se Gaanv Essence LLP from using “RANI SAHIBA” or any deceptively similar mark for rice products, and from passing off its goods as those of Rakesh Jain. A Bench comprising Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani also directed the takedown of an infringing Amazon listing and other online references bearing the mark.
Delhi High Court Directs Sun Pharma To Seek Prior Approval Before Launching Semaglutide Tablets
Case Title: Novo Nordisk A/S & Anr. v. Sun Pharma Laboratories Limited
Case Number: CS(COMM) 837/2026 & I.A. 21265/2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (DEL) 858
The Delhi High Court on 11 August directed Sun Pharma Laboratories Limited to seek prior approval from the Court before commercially manufacturing or launching its Semaglutide Tablets, in a patent infringement suit filed by Novo Nordisk A/S. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani did not grant an interim injunction at this stage.
BOMBAY HIGH COURT
Bombay High Court Allows Kataria Insurance Brokers To Retain Name, Bars Gems Jewellery Insurance
Case Title: Bhavesh Suresh Kataria v. Kataria Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd.
Case Number: COMMERCIAL IP SUIT NO. 215 OF 2021
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC(BOM) 466
The Bombay High Court has allowed Kataria Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd. to continue using its corporate name “KATARIA INSURANCE”. However, the court permanently restrained the company from providing insurance services relating to the gems and jewellery sector. Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan allowed the company's application to vacate an interim injunction dated December 8, 2025, which had previously barred the company from using "KATARIA" in its corporate name.
Sonu Nigam Namesake Agrees Before Bombay High Court To Stop Using Singer's Name On Social Media
Case Title: Sonu Nigam v. Sonu Nigam Singh & Ors.
Case Number: COMMERCIAL IP SUIT (L) NO.20577 OF 2025
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC(BOM) 463
A man who ran a social media account under the name “Sonu Nigam” has agreed before the Bombay High court to stop using the singer's name, photograph, likeness, and other personality attributes in a manner that exploits or misappropriates his personality and publicity rights, bringing a year-long dispute between the two men to an end. Justice Madhav J. Jamdar recorded the settlement on August 13 and decreed the suit in terms of the Consent Terms. Sonu Nigam Singh can continue operating the account under the handle “@SonuNigamSingh”, subject to the undertakings given to the court.
MADRAS HIGH COURT
Madras High Court Grants Anti-Piracy Injunctions For 'Batwara 1947,' 'Awarapan 2'
Case Title: Aamir Khan Productions Pvt Ltd v. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited & Ors.; Vishesh Pictures Pvt Ltd v. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited & Ors.
Case Number: OA No. 835 of 2026 AND C.S(COMM DIV) NO. 239 OF 2026,OA NO. 836 OF 2026; OA No. 837 and 838 of 2026 AND C.S(COMM DIV) NO. 240 OF 2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC(MAD) 235; 2026 LLBiz HC(MAD) 236
The Madras High Court has recently granted anti-piracy protection to the Hindi films Batwara 1947 and Awarapan 2 after their producers approached the Court apprehending copyright infringement. The films were scheduled for release on August 13 and August 14, respectively. Justice K. Surender passed separate common orders on August 14 on applications filed by Aamir Khan Productions Pvt Ltd for Batwara 1947 and Vishesh Pictures Pvt Ltd for Awarapan 2.
CALCUTTA HIGH COURT
Case Title: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited v. Emami Limited & Ors.
Case Number: F.M.A.T. No. 56 of 2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (CAL) 198
The Calcutta High Court set aside a temporary injunction that restrained Sun Pharmaceutical Industries from airing an advertisement that Emami alleged disparaged its “Zandu Balm”, “Mentho Plus Balm”, and “Zandu Ultra Power Balm”. A Division Bench of Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya and Justice Supratim Bhattacharya held that the advertisement did not specifically target Emami's products, and the company had failed to establish a prima facie case for an injunction.
KERALA HIGH COURT
Kerala High Court Rejects Injunction Plea Against DDRC Agilus Over 'Since 1983' Tagline
Case Title: Ajith K. Joy v. Agilus Diagnostics Limited & Ors.
Case Number: FAO NO. 81 OF 2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC(KER) 165
The Kerala High Court has dismissed an appeal seeking to restrain Agilus Diagnostics and DDRC Agilus Pathlabs from representing that DDRC's business has been operating since 1983. Justice S. Manu held that the appellant had not established a prima facie case for an interim injunction, noting that the respondents' tagline, “your lab partner since 1983”, was materially different from the slogan used by the appellant.
KARNATAKA HIGH COURT
Karnataka High Court Refuses Plea Seeking $2.5 Million From eBay Over Alleged Copyright Infringement
Case Title: Lt. Col. D.K. Havanoor (Retd.) v. Union of India & Ors.
Case Number: WRIT PETITION NO. 8530 OF 2023 (GM-RES)
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (KAR) 144
The Karnataka High Court has recently declined to entertain a writ petition by retired Army officer Lt. Col. D.K. Havanoor seeking USD 2.5 million in damages from eBay entities over alleged copyright infringement. Justice M.G.S. Kamal passed the order on August 3, 2026, while giving Havanoor liberty to pursue his grievance before a competent court. Havanoor's grievance concerned a book that he claimed belonged to him and which, according to the order, was displayed and sold through eBay.com for USD 12.53.