LiveLawBiz IPR Weekly Digest: February 15 - February 21, 2026
Riya Rathore
22 Feb 2026 10:00 AM IST
SUPREME COURT
Case Title: Hero Cycles Ltd & Anr. vs Hero Ecotech Ltd & Ors
Case Number: CIVIL APPEAL NO.1478 OF 2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz SC 74
The Supreme Court recently revived proceedings for alleged breach of an injunction in the long-running “HERO” trademark dispute between Hero Cycles Limited and Hero Ecotech Limited. A bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan set aside a September 3, 2025 judgment of the Patna High Court, which had quashed a 2019 trial court order directing initiation of contempt proceedings against Hero Ecotech and others for alleged breach of an injunction.
Case Title: Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar vs A.R. Rahman Case Number: SLP(C) 4742 OF 2026
Music composer A.R. Rahman on Friday undertook before the Supreme Court of India to give credit to Late Ustad Faiyazuddin Dagar and Late Ustad Zahiruddin Dagar in relation to the song “Veera Raja Veera” from Ponniyin Selvan II. The court accordingly closed the appeal filed by Dhrupad vocalist Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar against a division bench order of the Delhi High Court that had modified interim relief granted in the copyright dispute. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi recorded the undertaking that the revised credits would be displayed on all OTT and online platforms within five weeks.
Supreme Court Appoints Former CJI B R Gavai To Mediate Veda Seed- Kohinoor Trademark Dispute
Case Title: Veda Seed Sciences Pvt Ltd vs Kohinoor Seed Fields India Pvt Ltd
Case Number: Petition for Special Leave to Appeal (C) No.5850/2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz SC 76
The Supreme Court on Friday appointed former Chief Justice of India Justice B.R. Gavai to mediate a trademark dispute between Veda Seed Sciences Pvt. Ltd and Kohinoor Seed Fields India Pvt. Ltd., while staying further proceedings in the suit before the Delhi High Court. A Bench of Justices K.V. Viswanathan and Atul S. Chandurkar recorded that the parties had “favourably responded to the suggestion of the Court that an amicable resolution of the dispute be explored through the process of mediation.”
HIGH COURTS
Delhi High Court
Case Title: Saregama India Limited v. Ilaiyaraaja
Case Number: CS(COMM) 143/2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (DEL) 149
The Delhi High Court has recently issued an ex parte ad interim injunction restraining music composer Ilaiyaraaja from exploiting, using or issuing licences in respect of sound recordings and underlying works from 134 films claimed by Saregama India Limited, holding that the company has made out a prima facie strong case. Justice Tushar Rao Gedela passed the order after noting that assignment agreements and inlay cards placed on record prima facie supported Saregama's claim of exclusive copyright.
Delhi High Court Allows Oswaal Books To Register 'ONE FOR ALL' As Trademark
Case Title: Oswaal Books And Learnings Private Limited v. The Registrar Of Trade Marks
Case Number: LPA 571/2025 & CM APPL. 56791/2025
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (DEL) 151
The Delhi High Court on 10 February cleared the way for Oswaal Books and Learnings Private Ltd. to register “ONE FOR ALL” as their trademark, observing that the phrase is a protectable suggestive mark rather than a merely descriptive slogan. The Division Bench of Justice C. Hari Shankar and Justice Om Prakash Shukla observed: “We find that the applied mark “ONE FOR ALL” does not evoke a connect, in the mind, between the mark and books. The mark has no relation with books and can be used in any situation to communicate broad coverage or universality.”
Delhi High Court Reiterates Limited Interference In Appeals Against Interim IPR Orders
Case Title: Sanjay Gupta & Anr v. Vineet Jain
Case Number: FAO (COMM) 44/2026, CM APPL. 9539/2026, CM APPL. 9540/2026, CM APPL. 9541/2026, CM APPL. 9542/2026 & CM APPL. 9543/2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (DEL) 152
The Delhi High Court has reiterated that appellate courts must remain highly circumspect before overturning discretionary orders issued by commercial courts in intellectual property matters. The bench comprising Justice C. Hari Shankar and Justice Om Prakash Shukla dismissed an appeal in limine by the owners of the “Golden Eagle” brand against a rival “Golden Kingfisher” product, upholding the decision of the Commercial Court at Tis Hazari to refuse ex parte ad-interim injunction and appointment of a local commissioner.
Case Title: Lotus Herbals Private Limited v. DPKA Universal Consumer Ventures Private Limited & Ors.
Case Number: FAO(OS) (COMM) 45/2024
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (DEL) 158
The Delhi High Court has issued a temporary injunction restraining actress Deepika Padukone's DPKA Universal Consumer Ventures Private Limited, the entity behind the skincare brand 82°E, from manufacturing, advertising or selling its "Lotus Splash" facial cleanser until final disposal of the suit. The Division Bench comprising Justice V. Kameswar Rao and Justice Vinod Kumar held that the use of the mark "Lotus Splash" by the defendants was not merely descriptive of an ingredient but was being used as a trademark.
Baba Ramdev Approaches Delhi High Court Over Deepfakes, Seeks Protection of Personality Rights
Case Title: Swami Ramdev v. John Doe (S) & Ors.
Yoga guru and Patanjali Ayurved co-founder Baba Ramdev has moved the Delhi High Court on Tuesday (February 17) seeking protection of his personality rights. The matter was listed before Justice Jyoti Singh and was briefly heard. It has now been kept for further hearing on Wednesday. Ramdev seeks an injunction against the unauthorised use of his name, likeness, voice and distinctive style of discourse on digital platforms. The plea targets “John Doe” defendants allegedly using artificial intelligence-generated content, deepfake videos and voice cloning to exploit his identity without consent.
Case Title: Coldsmiths Retail Services Private Limited v. Registrar Of Trade Marks
Case Number: W.P.(C)-IPD 37/2025, CM 162/2025 & CM 164/2025
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (DEL) 162
The Delhi High Court has permitted renewal of eight trademarks after holding that expiry notices sent to an unauthorized agent do not amount to compliance with the Trade Marks Act. Justice Tushar Rao Gedela ruled that issuing notices to a person who was no longer authorised does not satisfy Section 25(3) of the Trade Marks Act.
Case Title: Getmyuni Education Services Private Limited v. Mangalayatan University
Case Number: FAO 126/2023 and CM APPL. 27117/2023
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (DEL) 164
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday set aside a trial court order restraining an education-technology start-up from using the names, information, and details of two universities on its website, holding that it has a right to use publicly available information so long as it is not presented disparagingly. A single-judge bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri held that the respondents were “unable to make out a prima facie case” and termed it “an unconvincing argument” that rankings displayed on the website were disparaging when they were referenced to rankings available in the public domain and were open-sourced.
Delhi High Court Imposes ₹50,000 Costs On Patent Owner For “Unnecessary Litigation”
Case Title: Pawan Kumar Goel v. Dr. Dhan Singh & Anr.
Case Number: CS(COMM) 672/2022, CC(COMM) 16/2023 & I.A. 13948/2023
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (DEL) 163
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday refused to allow Pawan Kumar Goel to withdraw his patent infringement suit over a patented process for extracting Alpha Yohimbine, a plant-derived compound used in dietary supplements, and imposed costs of Rs. 50,000 for “unnecessary litigation.” Justice Tushar Rao Gedela declined Goel's request under Order XXIII Rule (1)(3)(b) of the Code of Civil Procedure seeking permission to withdraw the suit with liberty to institute a fresh suit on the same cause of action.
Delhi High Court Refers Patanjali–Britannia 'Milk Bikis' Ad Disparagement Dispute To Mediation
Case Title: Patanjali Ayurved Limited & Anr. v. Britannia Industries Limited & Ors.
Case Number: CS(COMM)-162/2026
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday referred to mediation a trademark disparagement dispute between Patanjali Ayurved Limited and Britannia Industries Limited over Britannia's “Milk Bikis” advertisement. The matter was listed today before Justice Tushar Rao Gedela. After hearing preliminary submissions, the court referred the parties to the Delhi Mediation and Conciliation Centre. Patanjali has sought an injunction against the allegedly disparaging ad. It contends that the advertisement disparages its milk biscuits. It objects to the depiction of its packaging. It also challenges the use of the word “Baba”.
Case Title: Karan Johar v. John Doe & Ors.
Case Number: CS(COMM) 974/2025
The Delhi High Court on Thursday questioned the legal basis for retaining social media intermediaries as parties in filmmaker Karan Johar's personality rights suit after they have complied with its takedown directions, asking, “Why have more the merrier attitude?” Justice Jyoti Singh was hearing submissions from platforms including Meta (Defendant 15), X Corp. (Defendant 16) and Etsy (Defendant 12), which were impleaded as proforma parties in the suit.
Case Title: Jubin Nautiyal v. Jammable Limited & Ors.
Case Number: CS(COMM) 166/2026
The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked singer Jubin Nautiyal why he had approached it for protection of his personality rights when he is based in Uttarakhand. Justice Tushar Rao Gedela questioned the choice of forum. “Why are you here? What is accessible here is accessible there. The courts there aren't abolished yet…,” the judge remarked. At the outset, the Court asked how it could entertain the suit.
Case Title: Dazn Limited & Anr. v. Olympicstreams.Co & Ors.
Case Number: CS(COMM) 152/2026 & I.A. 4277/2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (DEL) 167
The Delhi High Court has recently restrained 20 rogue websites from illegally streaming the “Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia” boxing match scheduled for February 21, 2026. The court held that DAZN Limited had made out a strong case for urgent protection of its exclusive broadcast rights. Granting an ex parte ad interim injunction, Justice Tushar Rao Gedela observed, “In such case, the plaintiffs, appears to have a prima facie strong case for an ex-parte ad-interim injunction.”
Case Title: Vivek Anand Oberoi v. Collector Bazar & Ors.
Case Number: CS(COMM) - 105/2026
The Delhi High Court on Friday observed that public figures must be prepared to accept both “bouquets and brickbats”, cautioning actor Vivek Anand Oberoi against becoming “hyper-sensitive” while hearing an application filed by Reddit seeking vacation of an ad-interim injunction earlier granted in his favour. Justice Tushar Rao Gedela made the remarks during proceedings in the personality suit filed by the actor, where the actor has sought protection of his personality and publicity rights. The court had previously passed an ad interim order directing certain websites and online platforms to take down links listed in the annexure to the order and to furnish user information within 72 hours.
Case Title: Fornnax Technology Private Limited v. The Registrar Of Copyrights
Case Number: CA (COMM.IPD-CR) 5/2026, I.A. 3781/2026, I.A. 3782/2026 & I.A. 3783/2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (DEL) 172
The Delhi High Court has set aside an order refusing copyright registration to Fornnax Technology Private Limited for its artistic work titled “Cutting Chamber Part of Secondary Shredder R-4000 Front View.” Justice Tushar Rao Gedela held that the Registrar of Copyrights had “imported the meaning ascribed to “person aggrieved” envisaged in Section 50 of the Act to be similar to or equivalent of “person interested” contemplated in Section 45(1) read with Rule 70 of the Rules; and (ii) that apart, it is admitted by the respondents that they are not the “person interested” in which case, whether their role would commence post the process of Section 50 of the Act or at the stage of Section 45 of the Act read with Rule 70 of the Rules, has not been dealt appropriately by the Registrar in the impugned order."
Delhi High Court Directs Crocs Inc USA Official To Appear Virtually In Dispute With Bata India
Case Title: Crocs Inc USA M/S v. Bata India Ltd & Ors.
Case Number: CS(COMM) 625/2018
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (DEL) 176
The Delhi High Court has recently directed that an authorised competent official of Crocs Inc. USA appear virtually before it on the next date of hearing, as it considers an application filed by Bata India Ltd seeking costs in the design infringement suit. A single-bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh passed the orders on February 7. Bata India has moved an application under Sections 35 and 35A read with Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, seeking orders of costs towards contesting the suit proceedings.
Bombay High Court
Case Title: Shatrughan Prasad Sinha v. John Doe & Ors.
Veteran Bollywood actor and Member of Parliament Shatrughan Sinha has moved the Bombay High Court seeking to protect his personality and publicity rights. The commercial suit, heard by a single-judge bench of Justice Sharmila Deshmukh, alleges the unauthorised use of Sinha's name, image, likeness, and his signature catchphrase, "Khamosh!" The court has reserved the matter for ad-interim orders on Monday.
Bombay High Court Restrains 'ACERIL' Trademark For Phonetic Similarity With Glenmark's 'ASCORIL'
Case Title: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd v. Venkata Subbarao & Anr.
Case Number: INTERIM APPLICATION (L) NO. 716 OF 2026 IN COMMERCIAL IP SUIT (L) NO. 31 OF 2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (BOM) 80
The Bombay High Court on 16 February granted ad-interim relief to Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd, temporarily restraining the use of the trademark “ACERIL” by Venkata Subbarao, after finding it visually and phonetically similar to Glenmark's registered mark “ASCORIL.” Justice Sharmila U. Deshmukh observed that although the two medicinal products treat different ailments, the similarity between the marks, if not restrained, could have a disastrous effect.
Khamosh! Bombay High Court Protects Shatrughan Sinha's Catchphrase, Personality Rights
Case Title: Shatrughan Prasad Sinha v. John Doe & Ors.
Case Number: INTERIM APPLICATION (L) NO. 2870 OF 2026 IN COMMERCIAL IP SUIT (L) NO. 2167 OF 2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (BOM) 87
The Bombay High Court has granted an ex parte ad-interim injunction to veteran actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha, restraining the unauthorised commercial exploitation of his personality rights. The Court also restrained use of his signature catchphrase “Khamosh” and his distinctive vocal mannerisms, observing that the expression, delivered in his unique and distinct style, is associated exclusively with his persona.
Madras High Court
Case Title: Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V v. The Union Of India & Ors.
Case Number: W.P. (IPD) No. 24 of 2025 and W.M.P.(IPD) Nos.19 and 20 of 2025
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (MAD) 49
The Madras High Court on 12 February observed that the Intellectual Property Office cannot mechanically issue notices or summons whenever pre-grant patent oppositions are received, warning that such an approach makes it “very easy to defeat the rights” of patent applicants. Justice N. Anand Venkatesh issued directions in a case involving a 14-year-old patent application filed by Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V. for a cancer drug. Noting that by “postponing the same for one reason and the other” officials allowed oppositions to accumulate instead of taking a final decision, he directed the Joint Controller of Patents and Designs to decide all four pending pre-grant oppositions within three months.
Madras High Court Restrains Unauthorised Broadcast Of Taapsee Pannu Starrer 'Assi' On Release Day
Case Title: Super Cassettes Industries Pvt. Ltd. v. Bharath Sanchar Nigam Limited
Case Number: O.A.Nos.144 & 145 of 2026 in C.S.(Comm.Div.) No.57 of 2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (MAD) 52
The Madras High Court on Friday restrained the unauthorised broadcast of the Taapsee Pannu-starrer Bollywood film 'Assi' on the day of its release, granting ad-interim relief to its producer. Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, by order dated February 20, 2026, observed that “in matters of this nature, it is likely that irreversible injury will occur unless unlawful broadcast is prevented.” At the same time, the Court noted that “in view of the expansive nature of the relief claimed, it is possible that the legitimate business interest of one or more respondents may be affected.”
Madras High Court Restrains Unauthorised Broadcast Of Zee's 'Do Deewane Seher Mein' On Release Date
Case Title: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited v. Bharath Sanchar Nigam Limited & Ors.
Case Number: O.A.Nos.151 & 152 of 2026 in C.S.(Comm.Div.) No.59 of 2026
Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (MAD) 53
On the date the film “DO DEEWANE SEHER MEIN” was slated for release, the Madras High Court granted an ad interim injunction restraining unlawful broadcast of the movie in a suit alleging apprehended infringement of copyright. Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy passed the order on Friday in two applications filed by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, the producers of the film, which has arrayed 33 defendants, including Bharath Sanchar Nigam Limited and others.
Trade Marks Registry
United Breweries Secures Trade Mark Registration For Kingfisher Sound Mark “Oo La La La La Le O”
United Breweries Limited has secured a registration for the sound trade mark associated with its Kingfisher brand, with the Trade Marks Registry issuing a certificate of registration for the jingle popularly rendered as “Oo La La La La Le O” under the Trade Marks Act, 1999. The registration, granted by the Trade Marks Registry, Mumbai, confers statutory exclusive rights on United Breweries Limited over the auditory brand asset, which has been extensively deployed in advertising and brand communication across India. The certificate has been issued under Section 23(2) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 read with Rule 56(1) of the Trade Marks Rules, 2017.