{"id":10557,"date":"2025-10-24T10:44:47","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T10:44:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=10557"},"modified":"2025-10-30T01:48:30","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T01:48:30","slug":"trademark-battles-over-a-legacy-name","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/trademark-battles-over-a-legacy-name\/","title":{"rendered":"Trademark Battles over a Legacy Name"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 id=\"facts\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Facts_Grasim_Industries_Limited_vs_Saboo_Tor_Private_Limited_%E2%80%93_Trademark_Dispute_Over_%E2%80%98Birla\"><\/span>Facts: Grasim Industries Limited vs Saboo Tor Private Limited \u2013 Trademark Dispute Over &#8216;Birla&#8217;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This case concerned a dispute over the use of the trademark \u201cBIRLA\u201d. The plaintiffs, <strong>Grasim Industries Limited<\/strong> and <strong>UltraTech Cement Limited<\/strong>\u2014well-known entities within the <strong>Aditya Birla Group<\/strong>\u2014filed a suit alleging trademark infringement and passing off against <strong>Saboo Tor Private Limited<\/strong> and others.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/trademark-battles-over-a-legacy-name\/#Facts_Grasim_Industries_Limited_vs_Saboo_Tor_Private_Limited_%E2%80%93_Trademark_Dispute_Over_%E2%80%98Birla\" >Facts: Grasim Industries Limited vs Saboo Tor Private Limited \u2013 Trademark Dispute Over &#8216;Birla&#8217;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/trademark-battles-over-a-legacy-name\/#Procedural_Details\" >Procedural Details<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/trademark-battles-over-a-legacy-name\/#Dispute\" >Dispute<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/trademark-battles-over-a-legacy-name\/#Reasoning_and_Legal_Analysis\" >Reasoning and Legal Analysis<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/trademark-battles-over-a-legacy-name\/#Passing_Off\" >Passing Off<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/trademark-battles-over-a-legacy-name\/#Dishonest_Adoption\" >Dishonest Adoption<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/trademark-battles-over-a-legacy-name\/#Judgment_and_Decision\" >Judgment and Decision<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/trademark-battles-over-a-legacy-name\/#Disclaimer\" >Disclaimer<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>The plaintiffs asserted that the \u201cBIRLA\u201d mark, and its derivatives such as \u201cBIRLA WHITE\u201d, had acquired immense fame and goodwill due to decades of use across different business sectors including cement, fiber, and construction materials. They claimed to be the rightful proprietors of over <strong>112 trademark registrations<\/strong> incorporating the name \u201cBIRLA\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>They discovered that the defendants had been using marks such as \u201cBIRLA TMT\u201d and \u201cBIRLA E-BIKE\u201d, registered domains like www.birlatmtsteel.com and www.birlaebike.com, and incorporated companies such as \u201cBirla Medicare Private Limited\u201d and \u201cBirla Biotech Private Limited.\u201d The plaintiffs contended that such activities amounted to infringement of their registered and well-known marks.<\/p>\n<p>The defendants denied all allegations, arguing that they had valid registrations for \u201cBIRLA\u201d in specific classes since 2008 and had been using the trade name independently since 2004. They maintained that their products were distinct from the plaintiffs\u2019 goods and that the plaintiffs had delayed filing despite public promotional activities.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"procedural-details\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Procedural_Details\"><\/span>Procedural Details<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The plaintiffs filed an interim application seeking an injunction to restrain the defendants from using the \u201cBIRLA\u201d mark. The matter was reserved on <strong>14 August 2025<\/strong> and judgment was pronounced on <strong>16 October 2025<\/strong> via video conference.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Veerendra Tulzapurkar represented the plaintiffs, while Senior Advocate Mr. Ravi Kadam appeared for the defendants. The Court examined documentation and authorities under the <strong>Trade Marks Act, 1999<\/strong>, to determine whether interim injunction was warranted.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"dispute\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dispute\"><\/span>Dispute<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The central issue was whether the defendants, as registered proprietors of the mark \u201cBIRLA\u201d under Class 6 (iron and steel), could be restrained from using the mark when the plaintiffs also claimed ownership of several \u201cBIRLA\u201d-based marks.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Whether plaintiffs had adequately demonstrated prior use or association with the \u201cBirla\u201d family.<\/li>\n<li>Whether the defendants\u2019 registration was fraudulent or obtained by misrepresentation.<\/li>\n<li>Whether concurrent registration under the Trade Marks Act allowed coexistence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"reasoning\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reasoning_and_Legal_Analysis\"><\/span>Reasoning and Legal Analysis<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Court observed that the plaintiffs\u2019 case rested on their asserted exclusive association with the \u201cBirla\u201d family and Aditya Birla Group. It held that references to legacy without documentary proof could not establish legal exclusivity. No internal agreements, corporate resolutions, or assignment records linking Grasim and UltraTech to \u201cBirla\u201d trademarks were produced.<\/p>\n<p>Although Grasim claimed succession to Indian Rayon\u2019s \u201cBirla White\u201d mark, no documentary evidence or demerger scheme was filed. The earliest verifiable use by plaintiffs dated 2007\u20132008, while defendants proved \u201cBirla TMT\u201d use since 2008 with credible inspection certificates.<\/p>\n<p>Under <strong>Sections 28(3)<\/strong> and <strong>30(2)(e)<\/strong> of the Trade Marks Act, two or more proprietors may concurrently hold registrations for identical marks. Since both held valid registrations, one could not claim infringement against the other unless registration was invalid. The Court relied on <em>Lupin Ltd. v. Johnson &amp; Johnson<\/em> (2014 SCC OnLine Bom 4596), which permits intervention only if registration \u201cshocks the conscience\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The Court noted:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>No proof of confusion or misassociation between \u201cBirla TMT\u201d and the plaintiffs\u2019 products.<\/li>\n<li>\u201cBirla\u201d is a common surname, unlike coined marks such as \u201cKodak\u201d.<\/li>\n<li>No evidence of fraudulent intent or fabricated invoices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"passing-off\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Passing_Off\"><\/span>Passing Off<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Court referred to <em>Cadila Health Care Ltd. v. Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd.<\/em> and <em>Pernod Ricard India Pvt. Ltd. v. Karanveer Singh Chhabra<\/em> (2025 SCC OnLine SC 1701). To succeed, plaintiffs must prove:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Goodwill<\/li>\n<li>Misrepresentation<\/li>\n<li>Likelihood of damage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Given both parties had operated independently for nearly two decades in different sectors\u2014cement versus TMT steel\u2014there was no likelihood of confusion. Plaintiffs\u2019 delay of 14 years further weakened their case for urgent relief.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"dishonest-adoption\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dishonest_Adoption\"><\/span>Dishonest Adoption<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No material suggested the defendants intended to deceive or exploit goodwill. Their advertisement campaigns since 2016 under registered marks indicated bona fide commercial use.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"judgment\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Judgment_and_Decision\"><\/span>Judgment and Decision<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>Case Title<\/th>\n<td>Grasim Industries Limited and Anr. v. Saboo Tor Private Limited and Ors.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Date of Judgment<\/th>\n<td>16 October 2025<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Case Number<\/th>\n<td>Commercial IP Suit No. 422 of 2022<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Neutral Citation<\/th>\n<td>2025:BHC-OS:19474<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Court<\/th>\n<td>High Court of Judicature at Bombay<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Judge<\/th>\n<td>Justice Sharmila U. Deshmukh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The Court dismissed the interim injunction application but directed the defendants to maintain true and accurate accounts of sales under \u201cBirla\u201d marks until final disposal. It held that:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Plaintiffs failed to show a prima facie case or irreparable injury.<\/li>\n<li>Both parties were registered proprietors with statutory protection.<\/li>\n<li>Fraud and bad faith allegations lacked evidence.<\/li>\n<li>An injunction would cause disproportionate hardship to defendants.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"disclaimer\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Disclaimer\"><\/span>Disclaimer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The information shared here is intended to serve the public interest by offering insights and perspectives. Readers are advised to exercise discretion when interpreting and applying this information. The content herein is subjective and may contain errors in perception, interpretation, or presentation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Written By:<\/strong> Advocate Ajay Amitabh Suman, IP Adjutor (Patent and Trademark Attorney), High Court of Delhi.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Facts: Grasim Industries Limited vs Saboo Tor Private Limited \u2013 Trademark Dispute Over &#8216;Birla&#8217; This case concerned a dispute over the use of the trademark \u201cBIRLA\u201d. The plaintiffs, Grasim Industries Limited and UltraTech Cement Limited\u2014well-known entities within the Aditya Birla Group\u2014filed a suit alleging trademark infringement and passing off against Saboo Tor Private Limited and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":56,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[841],"class_list":{"0":"post-10557","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-intellectual-property","7":"tag-trademark-law"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10557","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/56"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10557"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10557\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10557"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10557"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10557"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}