Delhi High Court Refers SOCIAL HOUSE-SOCIAL Trademark Row To Mediation

The Delhi High Court has referred the trademark dispute between hospitality brands "SOCIAL HOUSE" and "SOCIAL" to mediation. It also issued notice on an appeal filed by SOCIAL HOUSE proprietor Vardhaman Choksi against a judgment that had cancelled his trademark.

A division bench of Justice V. Kameswar Rao and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora was hearing Choksi's appeal against a common judgment dated April 10, 2026.

By that judgment, a single judge had ordered removal of the "SOCIAL HOUSE" mark from the Register of Trade Marks and dismissed his rectification petitions against various "SOCIAL" registrations held by Impresario Entertainment and Hospitality Pvt Ltd.

Senior Advocate J. Sai Deepak, appearing for Choksi, told the Bench that his client wished to explore a settlement.

Senior Advocate C.M. Lall, appearing for Impresario, did not oppose the move.

The court noted that he was "not averse to the suggestion of settlement made by Mr. Sai Deepak."

According to Choksi, he adopted the "SOCIAL HOUSE" mark in 2011 and began using it commercially in connection with activities at his ESCOBAR establishment in Mumbai.

He claims the mark was used in connection with events hosted at the establishment. He also contends that Impresario began using the "SOCIAL" mark subsequently.

His appeal argues that the single judge did not adequately weigh evidence of prior adoption and bona fide use and wrongly upheld a finding of non-use under Section 47 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, despite the rectification proceedings having been initiated within the statutory five-year grace period after registration.

Issuing notice in the appeal, which was accepted by counsel for the respondents, the bench directed the parties to appear before the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre on July 17, 2026.

It also granted them liberty to file written submissions before the next hearing.

The matter has been listed before the Division Bench on August 21, 2026.