{"id":6154,"date":"2025-07-12T05:28:28","date_gmt":"2025-07-12T05:28:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=6154"},"modified":"2025-07-12T05:33:50","modified_gmt":"2025-07-12T05:33:50","slug":"survival-of-a-trademark-post-liquidation-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/survival-of-a-trademark-post-liquidation-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Survival of a Trademark , post Liquidation process"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Overview\"><\/span>Overview<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This case explores the critical intersection of trademark law, procedural fairness, and corporate liquidation under Indian jurisprudence. The matter involved the contentious registration of the trademark \u201cDUNLOP\u201d by Glorious Investment Limited, a successor to Dunlop India Ltd., which was undergoing liquidation. The core contention revolved around the legitimacy of assignments executed during liquidation and whether the Registrar of Trademarks complied with the principles of natural justice. The decision of the Calcutta High Court provides crucial judicial interpretation concerning the rights of opponents in trademark opposition proceedings and the procedural conduct expected from administrative authorities.<\/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\/survival-of-a-trademark-post-liquidation-process\/#Overview\" >Overview<\/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\/survival-of-a-trademark-post-liquidation-process\/#Factual_Background\" >Factual Background<\/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\/survival-of-a-trademark-post-liquidation-process\/#Procedural_Background\" >Procedural Background<\/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\/survival-of-a-trademark-post-liquidation-process\/#Legal_Issue\" >Legal Issue<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/survival-of-a-trademark-post-liquidation-process\/#Discussion_on_Judgments\" >Discussion on Judgments<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/survival-of-a-trademark-post-liquidation-process\/#Reasoning_and_Analysis_of_the_Judge\" >Reasoning and Analysis of the Judge<\/a><\/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\/survival-of-a-trademark-post-liquidation-process\/#Final_Decision\" >Final 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\/survival-of-a-trademark-post-liquidation-process\/#Law_Settled_in_This_Case\" >Law Settled in This Case<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/survival-of-a-trademark-post-liquidation-process\/#Case_Details\" >Case Details<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Factual_Background\"><\/span>Factual Background<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Dunlop International Limited initiated opposition proceedings against the applications filed by Glorious Investment Limited for the registration of the trademark \u201cDUNLOP\u201d across eight different classes. The applications were filed on a \u201cproposed to be used\u201d basis. Glorious Investment claimed ownership through a series of name changes and alleged assignment deeds originating from Dunlop India Limited, a company that was already ordered to be wound up in related proceedings. The opponents challenged the authenticity and legality of these assignments, asserting that they were executed fraudulently during the liquidation process and that the Registrar erred in recognizing them without adequate scrutiny.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Procedural_Background\"><\/span>Procedural Background<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The trademark applications in question were filed as early as 2008. Oppositions were filed by Dunlop International Limited, and the opposition proceedings remained pending for over a decade. Eventually, in 2024, the Registrar issued orders dismissing the oppositions and allowing registration of the mark \u201cDUNLOP\u201d in favor of Glorious Investment Ltd. The Registrar\u2019s orders claimed to have heard both sides and provided a summary reasoning favoring the applicant.<\/p>\n<p>However, the opponents contended that the matter was disposed of arbitrarily, their prayer for adjournment was unfairly denied, and the Registrar failed to engage with serious legal and factual objections, especially those concerning the questionable assignments and the pending liquidation status of Dunlop India Ltd.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Legal_Issue\"><\/span>Legal Issue<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The central legal issues before the Court were:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Whether the Registrar of Trademarks violated principles of natural justice in rejecting adjournments and proceeding with the hearing.<\/li>\n<li>Whether the orders lacked adequate reasoning to justify the registration of the mark.<\/li>\n<li>Whether the alleged assignments executed during the pendency of liquidation were valid and capable of conferring trademark rights to Glorious Investment Limited.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Discussion_on_Judgments\"><\/span>Discussion on Judgments<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The appellant relied on <strong>Kranti Associates Pvt. Ltd. v. Masood Ahmed Khan, (2010) 9 SCC 496<\/strong>, to argue that a quasi-judicial authority is bound to record proper reasons in its order, and a lack thereof constitutes a violation of natural justice. The Supreme Court had emphasized the necessity for reasoned orders as a fundamental tenet of administrative fairness.<\/p>\n<p>In <strong>UCO Bank v. Spanco Ltd., 2014 SCC OnLine Bom 1232<\/strong>, the Bombay High Court observed that procedural justice and fairness are essential, especially when public interest and third-party rights are involved. This was relied upon to assert that the Registrar had failed to consider the wider public implications of improperly granting trademark rights to a possibly unauthorized party.<\/p>\n<p><strong>IDBI Bank v. Official Liquidator, (2020) 15 SCC 517<\/strong>, and <strong>Dunlop India Ltd. v. E.V. Mathai &amp; Sons, 2013 SCC OnLine Cal 1591<\/strong>, were cited to highlight the ongoing liquidation proceedings involving Dunlop India Ltd. and the legal consequences of assigning assets during such proceedings without the sanction of the Company Court.<\/p>\n<p>In <strong>Kia Wang v. Registrar of Trademarks, 2023 SCC OnLine Del 5844<\/strong>, the Delhi High Court held that fraudulent registration or misuse of procedure in trademark assignments would invalidate the resultant rights. This decision was particularly pertinent given the argument that the assignments were executed by parties with shared interests and lacked genuine arm\u2019s length conduct.<\/p>\n<p>The respondent relied on <strong>Armasuisse v. Trade Mark Registry, 2023 SCC OnLine Del 4<\/strong>, to suggest that assignments recorded by the Registrar should not be questioned unless a civil court has declared them invalid. They also cited <strong>Cinni Foundation v. Raj Kumar Sah &amp; Sons, ILR (2010) I Delhi 754<\/strong>, to argue that mere procedural defects in forms cannot invalidate a registration.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, <strong>Tata Sons Ltd. v. Manoj Dodia, 2011 (40) PTC 244 (Del)<\/strong>, and <strong>Daimler Benz Aktiengesellschaft v. Hybo Hindustan, AIR 1994 Del 239<\/strong>, were referred to in the context of distinctiveness and well-known trademarks. However, the Court noted that \u201cDUNLOP\u201d was not registered as a well-known mark under Rule 124 and the finding of distinctiveness lacked statutory analysis under Sections 11(6)\u2013(9) of the Trademarks Act, 1999.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reasoning_and_Analysis_of_the_Judge\"><\/span>Reasoning and Analysis of the Judge<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Court scrutinized the entire procedural history and highlighted the unusual delay in disposal, stretching over more than a decade. The Court found that the Registrar&#8217;s denial of adjournment was not in conformity with the rules in place at the time of initiation of proceedings (Trademark Rules, 2002), which did not cap the number of adjournments. The Registrar failed to exercise discretion judiciously, especially when one adjournment was sought due to illness of counsel.<\/p>\n<p>The Judge further found that the orders passed were devoid of proper reasoning. Merely stating that the evidence and documents were considered did not fulfill the obligation to provide a reasoned conclusion. The order lacked any analysis of the evidence submitted or rationale for finding in favor of the applicant.<\/p>\n<p>The Court placed strong emphasis on the questionable nature of the assignments executed while Dunlop India Ltd. was in liquidation. These transactions, executed by the same advocates for both assignor and assignee, cast serious doubt on the genuineness and validity of the documents. The absence of notice to the Official Liquidator or affected parties further invalidated the process under Section 45 of the Trademarks Act, 1999.<\/p>\n<p>The Judge also underscored that administrative discretion must not result in procedural unfairness and that failure to deal with allegations of fraud, even if raised late, vitiates the entire proceedings. The Deputy Registrar\u2019s attempt to create a facade of procedural compliance, despite effectively denying the opponent a meaningful hearing, was severely criticized.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Decision\"><\/span>Final Decision<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Calcutta High Court set aside all the impugned orders passed by the Registrar in IPDTMA No. 14 of 2024 to IPDTMA No. 21 of 2024. The matters were remanded for fresh consideration, with directions to provide a fair opportunity of hearing to all parties. The Registrar was instructed to conclude the rehearing process within three months from the date of communication of the order. The Court clarified that its observations were tentative and did not prejudice the merits of the case, which were left open for adjudication in accordance with law.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Law_Settled_in_This_Case\"><\/span>Law Settled in This Case<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The judgment affirms that trademark opposition proceedings must strictly comply with the principles of natural justice, including granting reasonable adjournments and issuing well-reasoned orders. It reiterates that procedural fairness cannot be sacrificed for the sake of formal compliance. Where allegations of fraud, improper assignment, or procedural abuse are raised, even at a late stage, administrative authorities must give such concerns due consideration. The case also highlights the limited jurisdiction of the Registrar under Section 45 of the Trademarks Act, especially where the validity of assignments executed during liquidation is challenged.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Case_Details\"><\/span>Case Details<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Case Title:<\/strong> Dunlop International Limited Vs. Glorious Investment Limited &amp; Anr.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Date of Order:<\/strong> 11 June 2025<\/li>\n<li><strong>Case Number:<\/strong> IPDTMA\/14\/2024 (with connected appeals: IPDTMA\/15\/2024 to IPDTMA\/21\/2024)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Court:<\/strong> High Court at Calcutta, Original Side (Intellectual Property Rights Division)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Judge:<\/strong> Hon\u2019ble Justice Ravi Krishan Kapur<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Disclaimer:\u00a0<\/b>The information shared here is intended to serve the public interest by offering insights and perspectives. However, readers are advised to exercise their own discretion when interpreting and applying this information. The content herein is subjective and may contain errors in perception, interpretation, and presentation.<\/p>\n<p><b>Written By: Advocate Ajay Amitabh Suman<\/b>, IP Adjutor &#8211; Patent and Trademark Attorney<br \/>\nEmail: ajayamitabhsuman@gmail.com, Ph no: 9990389539<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview This case explores the critical intersection of trademark law, procedural fairness, and corporate liquidation under Indian jurisprudence. The matter involved the contentious registration of the trademark \u201cDUNLOP\u201d by Glorious Investment Limited, a successor to Dunlop India Ltd., which was undergoing liquidation. The core contention revolved around the legitimacy of assignments executed during liquidation 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":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6154","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-intellectual-property"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6154","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=6154"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6154\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}