Delhi High Court Temporarily Restrains Use Of 'ISI HP' Mark In Landmark Crafts' 'HP' Trademark Suit

The Delhi High Court has recently granted an ex parte ad interim injunction restraining a fastener seller from using the mark "ISI HP" for screws, nuts, bolts, fasteners, and allied products after finding that it is prima facie deceptively similar to Landmark Crafts Limited's registered "HP" trademark.

"The impugned mark is prima facie deceptively similar to Plaintiff's registered HP marks and is being used for selling similar/identical goods," the court held.

Justice Jyoti Singh observed that Landmark Crafts had made out a prima facie case for interim protection. The court also found that the balance of convenience lay in the company's favour and that it was likely to suffer irreparable harm if the injunction was refused.

"It is prima facie evident that Defendant is using the impugned mark to misrepresent to the public that her goods have an association with the Plaintiff so as to encash on Plaintiff's formidable reputation and goodwill garnered over the years and which is causing irreparable harm to the Plaintiff," the court held.

Landmark Crafts, which manufactures self-drilling and self-driving screws, blind rivets, and allied fasteners, sued Shalini Garg, proprietor of Shree Mange Ram and Sons, alleging trademark infringement and passing off.

The company told the court that its predecessor coined and adopted the "HP" mark, standing for "Honour and Pride", in 1995. It stated that the mark is registered for, among other goods, self-driving screws, self-drilling screws, and blind rivets.

Landmark Crafts also relied on its long use of the mark and its clientele, including GAIL, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and the Delhi Jal Board.

According to Landmark Crafts, it discovered in January 2026 that Shalini Garg had applied to register a device mark comprising the letters "ISI" placed vertically before "HP" for goods including screws, nuts, bolts, washers, and metal fasteners.

The company issued a cease-and-desist notice. Shalini Garg denied infringement and passing off and claimed use of the mark since 2024.

Landmark Crafts argued that "ISI" is commonly understood as denoting certification under standards prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards and does not indicate the trade origin of goods. It contended that placing "ISI" before "HP" was intended to create the impression that the products were its "HP" goods carrying ISI certification.

After examining the rival marks, the court held that Landmark Crafts was the registered proprietor of the "HP" trademark for self-driving and self-drilling screws and blind rivets.

It observed that the competing goods, trade channels, and consumer base were common, creating every likelihood of confusion among members of the public and potential consumers.

The court restrained Shalini Garg and all others acting on her behalf from selling, offering for sale, displaying, advertising, promoting or marketing products bearing the impugned "ISI HP" mark, or any other mark identical or deceptively similar to Landmark Crafts' registered "HP" trademarks, until the next date of hearing.