IPR
Supreme Court Stays Calcutta HC Order Holding Unlicensed IPRS Music In Hotels Is Copyright Infringement
Today, the Supreme Court stayed a Calcutta High Court judgment holding that providing cable television connections to individual hotel rooms amounts to “communication to the public” under the Copyright Act, 1957 and constitutes copyright infringement. A Bench comprising Justices K.V. Viswanathan and Arun Palli issued notice and stayed the High Court judgment while hearing Hotel Appolo & Tours Private Limited's challenge to the judgment dated 4 August 2026. Senior Advocate Neeraj Kishan...
HUL Drags Beco To Delhi High Court Over Ads Claiming Surf Excel, Vim Cause Skin Allergies
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice to Beco in a product disparagement and trademark infringement suit filed by consumer goods giant Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL)HUL moved the Court against Kwick Living (I) Private Limited, which runs the cleaning products brand Beco, alleging that Beco's advertisements disparage HUL's detergent brands Surf Excel and Vim by claiming they contain chemicals that cause skin irritation and allergies. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani heard extensive...
Delhi High Court Temporarily Restrains MVP Healthcare From Using 'House Of Doctors' Mark
The Delhi High Court has 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.The group provides diagnostic and healthcare services.Justice Jyoti Singh passed the ex parte ad interim order while hearing a suit filed by House of Diagnostics LLP, HOD Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. and House of Diagnostics Healthcare Pvt. Ltd.The three entities constitute the HOD Group. They are engaged...
Delhi High Court Temporarily Restrains Sale Of 'THUNDER 15000' Beer In InBrew's Trademark Suit
The Delhi High Court has restrained the Bhutan-based manufacturer of alcoholic beverages sold under the mark 'THUNDER 15000' and the entity importing, selling, and distributing the beer in Jharkhand from dealing in products under the mark. The interim restraint will remain in force until the next hearing on December 21, 2026.The order came in a trademark infringement suit filed by InBrew Beverages Private Limited over its registered 'THUNDERBOLT' mark.Justice Jyoti Singh passed the order on an...
Delhi High Court Upholds Injunction Against 'Noviets' Pharma In Trademark Dispute With Novartis
The Delhi High Court has dismissed an appeal filed by Noviets Pharma against an interim order restraining it from using the mark 'NOVIETS'. The bench agreed prima facie that the mark was deceptively similar to Novartis AG's registered 'NOVARTIS' trademark. A division bench of Justice V. Kameswar Rao and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora upheld the February 28, 2026 order passed by the single judge. The order had granted a temporary injunction against the appellants and restrained them from...
'India Gate' Trademark Dispute: Delhi High Court Allows KRBL To Add Infringement Claim Over 'Royal Gate'
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...
Calcutta High Court Sets Aside Temporary Injunction Against Sun Pharma Over Emami's 'Zandu Balm' Disparagement Suit
The Calcutta High Court has recently set aside a temporary injunction restraining 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 that the company had failed to make out a prima facie case for an injunction.The court observed,...
Kerala High Court Rejects Injunction Plea Against DDRC Agilus Over 'Since 1983' Tagline
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.The court also noted that the respondents' slogan, “your lab partner since 1983”, was materially different from the slogan used by the appellant.The appellant's case was that Doctors Diagnostic Centre (DDC) and...
Karnataka High Court Refuses Plea Seeking $2.5 Million From eBay Over Alleged Copyright Infringement
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...
Madras High Court Grants Anti-Piracy Injunctions For 'Batwara 1947,' 'Awarapan 2'
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. Both production houses approached the...
Sonu Nigam Namesake Agrees Before Bombay High Court To Stop Using Singer's Name On Social Media
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...
LiveLawBiz IPR Weekly Digest: August 10 - August 16, 2026
SUPREME COURTDefendant Can Question Trademark Owner On Prior Use Even If Written Statement Not On Record: Supreme Court Case Title: Shabu KN Achary v. Dharampal Premchand LimitedCase Number: Civil Appeal No. 10260 of 2026Citation: 2026 LLBiz SC 267The Supreme Court has ruled that a party accused of trademark infringement can question the trademark owner about documents showing when the disputed brand name was first used, even if that party's written statement is not on record. A bench of Justice...