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Delhi High Court

Diageo Brands B. V And Ors. vs Khoday Breweries Ltd & Ors on 3 September, 2014

Author: G.P. Mittal

Bench: G.P. Mittal

*       IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

                                                  Pronounced on: 03rd September, 2014
+       I.A. No. 16758/ 2010 (Order XXXIX Rules 1 & 2 CPC and
        I.A. No. 1908/ 2012 (Order XXXIX Rules 1 & 2 CPC) in
        CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010

        DIAGEO BRANDS B. V AND ORS.                                       ..... Plaintiffs

                                 Through:         Mr. C.M. Lall, Advocate with
                                                  Ms. Nancy Roy, Advocate.

                                 versus

        KHODAY BREWERIES LTD & ORS                                      ..... Defendants

                                 Through:         Mr. Gopal Jain, Senior Advocate with
                                                  Ms. Padma Priya, Advocate for D-1 to
                                                  D-15.
        CORAM:
        HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G.P. MITTAL
1.      By virtue of this application under Order XXXIX Rules 1 and 2 read

        with Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (CPC), the

        Plaintiffs seek an ad interim injunction in their favour and against the

        Defendants in the following terms:-


        (i)     From either jointly or severally using or attempting to use or

                asserting any right to use or applying to register or to maintain

                the applications, or to register any of the trademarks mentioned

                in paragraph 20 of the plaint or any other trademark similar to

                any trade mark of any of the Plaintiffs more particularly

I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010                Page 1 of 38
                 mentioned in paragraphs 5 to 16 of the plaint, or using or

                applying for any trademarks containing an essential or

                prominent element of the trademarks mentioned in paragraphs 5

                to 16 of the plaint or in any other manner whatsoever infringing

                the registered trademarks of the Plaintiffs or in violation of any

                other rights in the registered trademarks of the Plaintiffs;


        (ii)    From passing off their goods as and for the goods of the

                Plaintiffs by the use of any of the marks specifically mentioned

                in paragraph 20 of the plaint or any other trademark similar to

                the trademarks of the Plaintiffs more particularly mentioned in

                paragraphs 5 to 16 of the plaint or associating themselves or

                their products in any way with the Plaintiffs or the Plaintiffs‟

                trademarks or products; and


        (iii)   From either jointly or severally using or attempting to use or

                asserting any right to use the registered trademarks, mentioned

                under paragraph 21 of the plaint and/ or any other registration

                that the Defendants may have obtained for a mark which is

                similar to trademarks of the Plaintiffs mentioned in paragraphs

                5 to 16 of the plaint and produce such Registration Certificates.



I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010            Page 2 of 38
 2.      A suit for permanent and mandatory injunction for infringement of

        registered trademarks, for passing off, unfair competition and damages

        has been filed by the Plaintiffs alleging that the Plaintiffs are a group

        of companies or associated or affiliated companies of Diageo Plc.,

        which is one of the world‟s most famous trade names in

        manufacturing, distribution, marketing and sale of alcohol beverages

        including wines, liquors, spirits, cordials, beers and other products.


3.      Plaintiffs operate in over 180 countries and territories across Europe,

        North and South America and Asia-Pacific and are the owners of a

        global portfolio of the world‟s best known brands such as JOHNNIE

        WALKER RED LABEL, JOHNNIE WALKER BLACK LABEL,

        JOHNNIE WALKER GREEN LABEL, JOHNNIE WALKER GOLD

        LABEL, JOHNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL, CAPTAIN MORGAN,

        VAT 69, SMIRNOFF, BLACK & WHITE, BAILEYS, BELL‟S, J&B

        and GUINNES and several others.


4.      It is urged that Plaintiff no. 1 is a company incorporated under the

        laws of Netherlands and is the registered proprietor of the trademarks

        mentioned at pages 17-38 of the plaint, in India. Some of the

        mentioned registrations are pending certain recordals of devolution of

        title and are pursued by Plaintiff no. 1 with the Trademarks Registry.

I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010          Page 3 of 38
         However, applications for the trademarks mentioned at pages 38-39 of

        the plaint are pending before the Registrar of Trademarks in India.


5.      Plaintiff no. 2 is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State

        of Connecticut, U.S.A. and is the registered proprietor of the

        trademarks mentioned at pages 40-51 of the plaint, in India. Some of

        the mentioned registrations are pending certain recordals of devolution

        of title and are pursued by Plaintiff no. 2 with the Trademarks

        Registry. However, applications for the trademarks mentioned at page

        51 of the plaint are pending before the Registrar of Trademarks in

        India.


6.      Plaintiff no. 3 is a corporation organised under the laws of Scotland

        and is the registered proprietor of the trademarks mentioned at pages

        52-56 of the plaint, in India. Some of the mentioned registrations were

        pending certain recordals of devolution of title and are pursued by

        Plaintiff no. 3 with the Trademarks Registry. However, applications

        for the trademarks mentioned at page 56 of the plaint are pending

        before the Registrar of Trademarks in India.


7.      Plaintiff no. 4 is a corporation organised under the laws of Ireland and

        is the registered proprietor of the trademarks HARP, GUINESS and

        GUINESS ABSTRACT HARP in India. However, application for
I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010         Page 4 of 38
         trademark KILKENNY in the name of Plaintiff no. 4 is pending

        before the Registrar of Trademarks in India.


8.      Plaintiff no. 5 is a corporation organised under the laws of U.S.A. and

        is the proprietor of the trademarks THE MONTEREY VINEYARD,

        STERLING VINEYARDS and BEAULIEU VINEYARD in India.

        Plaintiff no. 2 assigned these trademarks to Plaintiff no. 5 by an

        assignment dated 30.06.2008. This assignment was filed for recorder

        at the Indian Trademarks Registry on 22.09.2008 but the change of

        ownership is pending. Some of the mentioned registrations were

        pending certain recordals of devolution of title and are pursued by

        Plaintiff no. 5 with the Trademarks Registry, and the applications for

        the trademarks BLOSSOM and BLOSSOM HILL in the name of

        Plaintiff no. 5 are pending before the Registrar of Trademarks in India.


9.      Plaintiff no. 6 is a corporation organised and existing under the laws

        of Singapore and is the owner of the trademarks SHANGHAI WHITE

        and SHANGHAI WHITE 3-D, the registrations of which are pending

        before the Registrar of Trademarks in India.


10.     Plaintiff no. 7 is a corporation organised and existing under the laws

        of Argentina and is the registered proprietor of the trademark SAN

        TELMO in India.
I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010        Page 5 of 38
 11.     Plaintiff no. 8 is a corporation organised and existing under the laws

        of India. Plaintiff no. 8 has appropriate authorisations/ licences to use

        all the trademarks belonging to Plaintiffs no. 1 to 11 in India. Plaintiff

        no. 8 is the registered proprietor of the trademarks ANCHOR ST,

        Shark Fin & Device and YOU ARE INTERESTING in India and the

        application for trademark SHARK TOOTH in the name of Plaintiff

        no. 8 is pending before the Registrar of Trademarks in India.


12.     Plaintiff no. 9 is a corporation organised under the laws of Ireland and

        is the registered proprietor of the trademarks mentioned at pages 60-62

        of the plaint, in India. Some of the mentioned registrations were

        pending certain recordals of devolution of title and are pursued by

        Plaintiff no. 9 with the Trademarks Registry and the applications for

        registration of the trademarks BB and Horse and Rider Device (2007

        version) in the name of Plaintiff no. 8 are pending before the Registrar

        of Trademarks in India.


13.     Plaintiff no. 10 is a corporation organised and existing under the laws

        of Ireland and is the registered proprietor of the trademarks

        BUSHMILLS (330920), BUSHMILLS (331875), BLACK BUSH,

        and BUSHMILLS (935955) in India and the application for the



I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010          Page 6 of 38
         trademark STILL in the name of Plaintiff no. 10 is pending before the

        Registrar of Trademarks in India


14.     Plaintiff no. 11 is a corporation organised and existing under the laws

        of Netherlands Antilles and is the registered proprietor of the

        trademarks URSUS (704941) and URSUS (701189) in India.


15.     According to the case set up by the Plaintiffs, Defendants no. 1 to 4

        are a part of one group of companies dealing in alcohol and beverage

        products similar to those of Plaintiffs and are under a common

        management. Defendants no. 5 to 14 are responsible for the

        management of Defendants no. 1 to 4 group of companies.


16.     It is averred that Defendants no. 1 to 4 have filed trademark

        applications which have been mentioned in Para 19 (pages 64-67 of

        the plaint) and to which the Plaintiffs are aware that they are

        confusingly and deceptively similar to the trademarks of Plaintiffs.

        These trademarks were advertised in the Trade Marks Journal and

        were opposed by one of the Plaintiffs.


17.     It is stated that the trademarks KHODEY BLACK & WHITE, VAT

        999, GUDNESS, BOND‟S GREEN LABEL, CAPTAIN WALKER,

        PETEWALKER,               PETEWALKR              and   NOF   were   also    found


I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010                 Page 7 of 38
         deceptively similar to the trademarks of the Plaintiffs and were

        wrongly registered by Defendants no. 1 to 4.


18.     It is pleaded that Plaintiffs initiated various proceedings against the

        Defendants and filed various applications as mentioned in para 21

        (pages 68 to 71 of the plaint). Most of the applications for obtaining

        similar trademarks were abandoned as mentioned in the tabulated

        form in para 21 of the plaint, whereas some oppositions initiated by

        Plaintiff no. 1 i.e., application bearing no. 801153 for the mark BON-

        E-WALKER in Class 33 and application bearing no. 845538 for the

        mark BONNIE-V-WALER in Class 32 filed by Defendant no. 1 were

        concluded successfully in favour of Plaintiff no. 1.


19.     It is pleaded that in the year 1991, Plaintiff no. 1 and its predecessors

        became aware of the adoption of the mark VAT 999 and passing off of

        the trademark of JOHNNIE WALKER RED LABEL brand of the

        Plaintiffs by the Defendants in relation to Whisky. The Plaintiffs filed

        a suit bearing no. 866/ 1996 against Defendant no. 1 and an interim

        injunction dated 23.04.1996 was passed against the Defendants as

        under:-


                "the Defendants are restrained from selling, offering for
                sale, advertising, directly or indirectly dealing in whiskies

I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010         Page 8 of 38
                 under the mark VAT 999 or any other mark identical with or
                deceptively similar to the Plaintiff‟s trade mark VAT 69."

20.     The said civil suit on account of increase in pecuniary jurisdiction of

        the District Court is pending before the Additional District Judge,

        Delhi and the injunction order is operating against Defendant no. 1. It

        is the case of the Plaintiffs that in early 2000, the Plaintiffs became

        aware of Defendant no. 1 having filed applications for the marks JOL-

        E- WALKER, BON-E-WALER, UNCLE WALKER and WALKER‟S

        CHOICE. Thus, perceiving a threat by the Defendants of introducing

        these marks in the market, Plaintiff no. 1 instituted a suit bearing no.

        2781/2000 against Defendant no. 1. The Delhi High Court again

        granted an ex-parte ad interim injunction against the Defendant by an

        order dated 15.12.2000 as under:-


                ".... the Defendants, its distributors, servants, agents,
                representatives and assigns etc. are restrained from using
                the trade mark JOL-E-WALER, BON-E-WALKER, UNCLE
                WALKER AND WALKER‟S CHOICE and any other trade
                mark or trade marks which are deceptively or confusingly
                similar to the Plaintiff‟s registered trade mark "JOHNNIE
                WALKER" in respect of their goods or in advertising and
                promotional material or any other manner whatsoever
                infringing the Plaintiff‟s rights in and to their registered
                mark JOHHNIE WALKER".

21.     A decree was passed for perpetual injunction in favour of the Plaintiffs

        therein and against the Defendants therein restraining them from using

I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010        Page 9 of 38
         the trademarks JOL-E- WALKER, BON-E-WALKER, UNCLE

        WALKER and WALKER‟S CHOICE which were confusingly similar

        to the trademark of the Plaintiffs‟ JOHNNIE WALKER in respect of

        their goods or any advertisement and promotional material.


22.     It is alleged that despite the above suit having been initiated in the

        year 2000 and not contested by the Defendants, the predatory tactics

        of the Defendants continued unabated in as much as in the year 2003,

        the Defendants filed yet another application for registration of the

        mark PETER WALKER.


23.     It is urged that malafides of the Defendants are evident from the fact

        that being in the alcoholic beverages trade, the Defendants who are

        well aware of the Plaintiffs‟ trademarks have deliberately adopted

        virtually identical or deceptively similar marks, or marks having

        essential and prominent portions of the Plaintiffs‟ marks, in respect of

        same or similar goods so as to cause confusion and deception in the

        market and to make unjust profits for themselves or by trying to ride

        on the reputation of the Plaintiffs.


24.     The Plaintiffs have also given details of the well known global marks

        of the third parties which were opposed by the said parties by



I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010         Page 10 of 38
         initiating oppositions to the applications for registration filed by the

        Defendants.


25.     Plaintiff no. 1 addressed a cease and desist notice dated 14.01.2009 to

        the Defendants no. 2 and 3 setting forth all the relevant particulars,

        pertaining to the Plaintiffs‟ right in their registered trademarks and

        calling upon the Defendants to withdraw the pending applications

        filed by them.


26.     The Plaintiffs thus, sought ad interim injunction as stated above.


27.     Defendants no. 1 to 14 filed a joint written statement and joint reply to

        the application under Order XXXIX Rules 1 and 2 CPC. The

        Defendants have denied that they are using deceptively similar marks

        or proposing to use similar or deceptively similar marks as that of the

        Plaintiffs.


28.     It is stated that the Plaintiffs have sought a blanket injunction to

        restrain the Defendants from filing applications seeking registration of

        trademarks which is not permissible and will tantamount to pre-

        empting the Defendants even from applying for a trademark based on

        the subjective and biased evaluation of the Plaintiffs rather than the

        Registrar of Trade Marks. Thus, it is stated that the prayer in the suit


I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010         Page 11 of 38
         seeking remedies in respect of Defendants‟ applications which are

        pending before the Trade Marks Registrar is barred under Section 93

        of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 (the Act).


29.     Defendants no. 1 to 14 have stated that Defendant no. 15 is a separate

        legal entity and the present suit cannot be allowed to be extended to

        Defendant no. 15. It is stated that in Diageo North America Inc. &

        Anr. v. Shiva Distilleries Limited, CS (OS) No. 255/2004 decided by

        Delhi High Court on 05.07.2007, it was held that there was no

        similarity between the trademarks SMIRNOFF and BRISNOFF. It

        was held that BRISNOFF is not deceptively similar and can in no

        manner be confused with the Plaintiffs‟ trademarks. The Defendants

        extracted paras 13 and 14 of the order passed in CS (OS) No.

        255/2004 as under:-


                ".........the fact remains that the syllable „NOFF‟ has been in
                use in respect of alcoholic products and particularly in the
                case of vodka. Perhaps, the same is used to indicate a
                Russian connection as vodka is generally discerned as a
                Russian drink. Whether it has become a descriptive term or
                not is debateable, but, at this prima facie stage it cannot be
                said that the Plaintiffs have established their exclusive right
                to use the same.

                14. So much for the second syllable. As regards the first
                syllable, I find that there is no similarity between SMIR and
                BRIS. Although the learned counsel for the Plaintiffs had

I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010          Page 12 of 38
                 submitted that all the letters are common except the letter M
                in SMIR and the letter B in BRIS, this, to my mind, is of no
                consequence because the arrangement of the letters is
                entirely different, as is the phonetic and visual result. I also
                agree with the submission made by the learned counsel for
                the Defendant that the intending purchasers of the
                competing products are literate persons belonging to the
                affluent class of the society and who would be in a position
                to easily distinguish SMIRNOFF from BRISNOFF
                particularly when the eyebrow device and the colour
                combination is sought to be given up by the Defendant. The
                average person with imperfect recollection would have to be
                from amongst the sub-set of such persons i.e., discerning
                consumers of vodka. My prima facie view is that the trade
                mark BRISNOFF is not deceptively similar to, nor can it be
                confused with the Plaintiffs' trade mark SMIRNOFF."

30.     It was thus, stated that the mark METRONOFF and SMIRNOFF are

        also not similar and Defendant no. 15 cannot be disallowed from

        pursuing the application for registration of the earlier said trademarks.

        It was stated that the suit filed by the Plaintiffs as such was not

        maintainable as Sections 18 to 26 of the Act lays down the procedure

        for registration of trademarks. Any person claiming a pre-existing

        right in the same as a right to file opposition and ultimately, it was for

        the registry to decide on the application. The Plaintiffs, therefore,

        cannot take away the statutory right of proposed Defendant no. 15 to

        apply for registration of the mark „METRONOFF‟.




I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010           Page 13 of 38
 31.     I have heard Mr. C. M. Lall, learned counsel for the Plaintiffs and Mr.

        Gopal Jain, learned Senior Counsel for the Defendants.


32.     The prayer for ad interim injunction made by the Plaintiffs can be

        divided in five parts, that is, restraint order restraining the Defendants

        either jointly or severely from (i) using or attempting to use or (ii)

        asserting any right to use or (iii) applying to register or (iv) to

        maintain the applications, or (v) to register any of the trademarks

        mentioned in paragraph 20 of the application.


33.     First of all, I shall like to deal with the prayers (iii), (iv) and (v) in the

        application. As far as prayer (v) is concerned, these marks have

        already been registered by Defendant no. 1. The Plaintiffs can take

        appropriate proceedings for cancellation of the marks as may be

        advised irrespective of their action for passing off against the

        Defendants. Thus, a restraint order against registering any trade mark

        which is already registered by Defendant no. 1 cannot be granted at

        this stage.


34.     Turning to prayers (iii) and (iv), the learned counsel for the Plaintiffs

        urges that the Defendants cannot insist and compel the Plaintiffs to

        keep a watch on every trade mark applied for registration which is

        similar or deceptively similar to the trademark of the Plaintiffs. The
I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010             Page 14 of 38
         Plaintiffs cannot be forced to always file an application for opposition

        and if the Defendants are aware that they are applying for a similar or

        deceptively similar trademark as that of the Plaintiffs, they should be

        restrained from lodging any such application with the Trade Marks

        Registry.


35.     Referring to Section 18 of the Act, the learned counsel for the

        Plaintiffs has urged that there is no inherent right in the Defendants to

        make a trademark application. Such an application can only be made

        by "person claiming to be proprietor" who has "used" or "proposes to

        use" the trade mark in near future.


36.     Referring to American Home Product v. Mac Laboratories, AIR 1986

        SC 137, the learned counsel for the Plaintiffs has contended that the

        intention to use a trademark sought to be registered must be genuine

        and real. The intention to use the mark must exist on the date of

        making the application for registration.


37.     The learned counsel for the Plaintiffs has argued that as soon as the

        Defendants make a claim in the application for registration that they

        have either used the mark or that they propose to use the mark in the

        foreseeable future either by themselves or through a company to be

        formed in future and if the said mark is same or deceptively similar to
I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010         Page 15 of 38
         the mark of the Plaintiffs, they invade the right of the Plaintiffs and the

        Plaintiffs would be entitled to an injunction under Section 38 (3) of the

        Specific Relief Act, 1963.


38.     It is urged that the Plaintiffs are registered proprietors of several

        trademarks and by virtue of Section 28 of the Act, they have the

        exclusive right to use the trademarks in respect of specified goods and

        to obtain relief in respect of infringement, which means right to

        restrain others from using an identical mark or a deceptively or

        confusingly similar mark.


39.     Referring to N.R. Dongre v. Whirlpool, AIR 1995 Delhi 300, the

        learned counsel for the Plaintiffs has urged that registration of a

        trademark under the Act would be irrelevant in an action for passing

        off. Registration of a trade mark in fact does not confer any new right

        on the proprietor thereof than what already existed at common law

        without registration of the mark.


40.     The learned counsel for the Plaintiffs has contended that the Civil

        Court is well within its right to adjudicate upon what constitutes

        passing off or not and since the jurisdiction of the Civil Court is not

        barred by any statute either expressly or impliedly, the Plaintiffs are

        entitled to the relief as stated above.
I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010           Page 16 of 38
 41.     The learned counsel for the Plaintiffs has strenuously contended that

        bar of jurisdiction of the Civil Court as given under Section 93 of the

        Act would be applicable only when the matter of registration or

        refusal of registration of any trademark is before an Appellate Board

        as provided in Section 91 of the Act. This has nothing to do with the

        right of the Plaintiffs to restrain a person who intends to apply for a

        deceptively similar mark to the Registrar for registration.


42.     With regard to prayers (i) and (ii) the learned counsel for the Plaintiffs

        has argued that the Defendants are trying to cash on the reputation and

        trademarks of the Plaintiffs and that is why, when the Plaintiffs made

        opposition to a large number of trademarks for which the Defendants

        sought registration, the Defendants either abandoned the application

        for registration or the opposition was successfully allowed or the

        opposition is pending before the Registry.


43.     Per contra Mr. Gopal Jain, learned senior counsel for the Defendants

        has urged that a blanket order restraining the Defendants to apply to

        register or to maintain the application for registration is barred under

        Section 41 (h) of the Specific Relief Act, 1963 as the alternative

        remedy to oppose registration is available under the Act. The suit is

        also barred under Section 9 of the CPC in view of the provisions of

I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010          Page 17 of 38
         Section 93 read with Section 91 of the Act. In support of his

        contention, the learned senior counsel for the Defendants has relied

        upon Srikant Kashinath Jituri & Ors. v. Corporation of City of

        Belgaum, (1994) 6 SCC 572.


44.     Referring to Dhodha House v. S.K. Maingi, (2006) 9 SCC 41, the

        learned Sr. Counsel for the Defendants has contended that cause of

        action will arise only when a registered trademark is used or when an

        application is filed for registration of the trademark. An application for

        grant of registration certificate may or may not be allowed. A person

        in whose favour a Registration Certificate has already been granted

        indisputably will have an opportunity to oppose the same by filing an

        opposition before the Registrar who has the requisite jurisdiction to

        determine the said question. The learned Sr. Counsel for the

        Defendants has very strenuously stated that vigilance is the

        cornerstone of any right and it cannot be a ground to pre-empt filing of

        an opposition to an intended registration of any trademark which is the

        foundation of the concept of registration of trademark and the

        Plaintiffs cannot be allowed to contend that they cannot be forced to

        oppose every application filed by the Defendants.




I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010          Page 18 of 38
 45.     In the alternative, the learned Senior Counsel for the Defendants urges

        that the order sought, if granted, will lead to absurdity because there

        will be nobody to decide whether the trademark which the Defendants

        want to adopt is deceptively or confusingly similar to that of the

        Plaintiffs and the Defendants may face contempt even if they

        bonafidely apply for registration of the trademark which in their

        opinion is not deceptively or confusingly similar, but is held to be so

        by the Civil Court. It is urged that there is an elaborate machinery

        under Section 21 of the Act to decide whether the proposed mark is to

        be registered in the name of the applicant or not.


46.     With regard to prayers (i) and (ii), the learned Sr. Counsel for the

        Defendants has stated that the trademarks which are sought to be

        registered or sought to be used are not similar or deceptively and

        confusingly similar to the marks of the Plaintiffs. Thus, there is no

        question of infringement of any registered trademark of the Plaintiffs

        and the injunction application is thus, liable to be dismissed.


47.     I have gone through the record and given my thoughtful consideration

        to the respective contentions raised on behalf of the parties.


48.      Chapter III of the Act deals with the procedure for registration and the

        duration of registration. As per Section 18, any person claiming to be
I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010             Page 19 of 38
         the proprietor of a trademark used or proposed to be used by him or

        who is desirous of registering it shall apply in writing to the Registrar

        in the prescribed manner for registration of his trademark. If the

        application is not withdrawn as provided under Section 19, an

        advertisement of the application is to be issued as provided under

        Section 20. Section 21 provides for the limitation within which a

        person may apply for opposition to the registration. Section 23

        provides for registration of the trademark, which is extracted

        hereunder:


              "23. Registration. - (1) Subject to the provisions of Section
              19, when an application for registration of a trade mark has
              been accepted and either-

                (a) the application has not been opposed and the time for
                    notice of the opposition has expired; or

                (b) the application has been opposed and the opposition
                    has been decided in favour of the applicant,

              the Registrar shall, unless the Central Government otherwise
              directs, register the said trade mark and the trade mark when
              registered shall be registered as of the date of the making of
              the said application and that date shall, subject to the
              provisions of Section 154, be deemed to be date of
              registration.

                (2).....

                (3)....

                (4)....."

I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010         Page 20 of 38
 49.     Then, there are provisions for duration, renewal, removal and

        restoration of the registration. Section 27 (1) debars any person to

        institute any proceedings to prevent or to recover damages in the

        infringement of an unregistered trademark. At the same time, as per

        Section 27 (2), a person with an unregistered trademark is competent

        to have his remedy for passing off goods or services as the goods of

        another person or as services provided by another person. Section 91

        entitles a person aggrieved by an order or decision of the Registrar

        under the Act to file an appeal before the Appellate Board and Section

        93 creates the bar of jurisdiction of the Court in respect of matters

        referred to in Section 91 (1). Sections 91 and 93 are extracted

        hereunder:


               "91. Appeals to Appellate Board. - (1) Any person
            aggrieved by an order or decision of the Registrar under this
            Act, or the rules made thereunder may prefer an appeal to the
            Appellate Board within three months from the date on which
            the order or decision sought to be appealed against is
            communicated to such person preferring the appeal.

                (2).....

                (3)....."

                xxxx

               "93. Bar of jurisdiction of courts, etc. - No court or other
            authority shall have or, be entitled to, exercise any jurisdiction,


I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010          Page 21 of 38
             powers or authority in relation to the matters referred to in sub-
            section (1) of Section 91."

50.     Thus, Registrar is entitled to register or refuse registration as provided

        under Chapter III and appeal thereof is provided under Section 91 of

        the Act. Bar of jurisdiction of the civil court is only with regard to the

        matters which are provided under Section 91 of the Act. Thus,

        wherever the trademark is ordered to be registered or the registration

        in respect of the trademark is refused by Registrar, an appeal lies to

        the Appellate Board under Section 91 of the Act. The other remedy

        against the registration or refusal to register i.e. the civil court is thus,

        barred to entertain any proceedings with regard to the registration or

        refusal to registration. Section 93 neither specifically nor by

        implication bars the jurisdiction of a civil court to injunct a person

        from applying for registration. At the same time, since a detailed

        procedure for registration, opposition to registration, etc., is given

        under the Act, it will not be appropriate to grant an injunction against

        an application for registration. I tend to agree with the learned Sr.

        Counsel for the Defendants that such an injunction, if granted, will

        lead to absurdity because there will be nobody to decide whether the

        trademark, which a person wants to adopt, is liable to be registered or

        not. A party may think a trademark not to be deceptively or

I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010            Page 22 of 38
         confusingly similar and may bonafidely apply for registration of the

        same and then face contempt if the Court holds that the mark applied

        by the said person was deceptively or confusingly similar to the one

        being used and registered by the Plaintiff. He may unwittingly face

        contempt of the Court. In any case, simply because the Plaintiff should

        not be compelled to oppose every application for registration of the

        trademark, the Defendants cannot be injuncted from applying to

        register or to maintain the application itself. Section 21 of the Act lays

        down the time limit and the procedure for filing opposition to the

        registration. In view of the specific procedure laid down for

        registration and duration of the trademark in Chapter III, it is not

        permissible to grant the injunction as stated above.


51.     The learned Sr. Counsel for the Plaintiffs could not refer to any

        precedent where such an injunction was granted. I could lay my hand

        on only one order of this Court in Zee Telefilms Ltd. & Anr. v. Union

        of India & Ors., (C.M. No. 1703/ 2007 in CM (M) No. 183/ 2007),

        where while staying the operation of the registration of the trademark

        "Zee", the Registrar of Trademarks was restrained from processing

        pending applications pertaining to registration of the trademark "Zee".




I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010          Page 23 of 38
 52.     The Plaintiffs in para 19 of the plaint have mentioned in a tabulated

        form the trademarks which were proposed to be used by the

        Defendants and which were deceptively or confusingly similar to the

        marks of the Plaintiffs. In para 21 of the plaint, the Plaintiffs have

        given the details of the opposition to the various trademarks sought to

        be registered by the Defendants, where the application for registration

        of the trademark was either abandoned or the opposition was allowed.

        In one such case highlighted in the tabulated form hereunder, an

        adverse order was passed against the Plaintiffs wherein an appeal as

        provided under Section 91 has been filed by the Plaintiffs. Para 21 of

        the plaint is extracted hereunder:


                "Given herein below is a detailed chart of the opposition
                proceedings initiated by the Plaintiffs against the
                Defendants‟ many applications for marks which offend
                the Plaintiffs‟ trademarks:
        S. No. Defendants           Plaintiffs'      Number    Date of User         Status of the
               impugned             trade                      Defenda              opposition
               marks                marks                      nts'                 proceedings
                                                               applicat
                                                               ions
        1.       JOL-E-             JOHINNIE         945062    04-Aug- Proposed     Application
                 WALKER             WALKER                     2000     to     be   abandoned
                                                                        proposed
        2.       JOL-E-             JOHNNIE          845542    16-      Proposed    Application
                 WALKER             WALKER                     Mar-     to     be   abandoned
                                                                        proposed
                                                               1999
        3.       JOL-E-             JOHINNIE         801152    06-      Proposed Application
                 WALKER             WALKER                              to     be abandoned

I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010                Page 24 of 38
                                                                 May-      proposed
                                                                1998
        4.       BON-E              JOHNNIE          801153     06-       Proposed Opposition
                 WALKER             WALKER                      May-      to     be allowed.
                                                                          proposed Application
                                                                1998
                                                                                    refused
                                                                                    registration.
        5.       BONNIE-            JOHNNIE          798014     07-       Proposed Awaiting
                 V-                 WALKER                      Apr-      to     be hearing to be
                                                                          proposed appointed.
                 WALKER                                         1998
        6.       BONNIE-V-          JOHNNIE          945549     07-Aug-   Proposed    Application
                 WALKER             WALKER                      2000      to     be   abandoned.
                 (Label)                                                  proposed
        7.       BON-E-             JOHNNIE          945558     07-Aug-   Proposed    Application
                 WALKER             WALKER                      2000      to     be   abandoned.
                 (Label)                                                  proposed
        8.       BON-E-             JOHNNIE          845541     16-Mar-   Proposed Awaiting
                 WALKER             WALKER                      1999      to     beEvidence in
                                                                          proposed support     of
                                                                                   application.
        9.       BONNIE-V-          JOHNNIE          845538     16-Mar- Proposed Opposition
                 WALKER             WALKER                      1999     to     be allowed.
                                                                         proposed Application
                                                                                   refused
                                                                                   registration.
        10.      UNCLE              JOHNNIE          831792 B   10-Dec- Proposed Application
                 WALKER             WALKER                      1998     to     be abandoned.
                                                                         used
        11.      UNCLE              JOHNNIE          868778     30-July- Proposed Awaiting
                 WALKER             WALKER                      1999     to     be hearing to be
                                                                         used      appointed.
        12.      CAPTAIN            JOHNNIE          945047     04-Aug- Proposed Application
                 WALKER             WALKER                      2000     to     be abandoned.
                                                                         used
        13.      UNCLE              JOHNNIE          903075     11-Feb- Proposed Application
                 WALKER             WALKER                      2000     to     be abandoned.
                 (Label)                                                 used
        14.      CAPTAIN            CAPTAIN          863117     29-June- Proposed Application
                 WALKER             MORGAN                      1999     to     be abandoned.
                                    and                                  used

I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010                  Page 25 of 38
                                     JOHNNIE
                                    WALKER
        15.      WALKER‟S           JOHNNIE          938765    12-Jul-   Proposed    Application
                 CHOICE             WALKER                     2000      to     be   abandoned.
                                                                         used
        16.      WALKER‟S           Johnnie          863893    05-Jul-   Proposed    Awaiting
                 CHOICE             Walker                     1999      to     be   hearing to be
                                                                         used        appointed.
        17.      WALKER‟S           JOHNNIE          804677    04-Jan-   Proposed    Awaiting
                 CHOICE             WALKER                     1998      to     be   hearing to be
                                                                         used        appointed.
        18.      PETEWALK           JOHNNIE          869490    04-Aug-   Proposed    Awaiting
                 ER                 WALKER                     1999      to     be   hearing to be
                                                                         used        appointed.
        19.      PETER              JOHNNIE          1177923   25-Feb-   Proposed    Awaiting
                 WALKER             WALKER                     2013      to     be   hearing to be
                                                                         used        appointed.
        20.      PETEWALK           JOHNNIE          945054    04-Aug-   Proposed    Awaiting
                 ER                 WALKER                     2000      to     be   Counter
                                                                         used        Statement.
        21.      VAT          999 VAT 69             938758    12-Jul-   Proposed    Application
                 (Label)                                       2000      to     be   abandoned.
                                                                         used
        22.      VAT 999            VAT69            675559    03-Aug-   Since       Application
                                                               1995      20/09/19    abandoned.
                                                                         91
        23.      VAT 999            VAT-69           885871    08-Nov-   Proposed    Awaiting
                                                               1999      to     be   Counter
                                                                         used        Statement.
        24.      AMRONOFF           SMIRNOFF         879482    01-Oct-   Proposed    Application
                                                               1999      to     be   abandoned.
                                                                         used
        25.      AMRONOFF           SMIRNOFF         879515    01-Oct-   Proposed  Awaiting
                                                               1999      to     be Evidence in
                                                                         used      support    of
                                                                                   Application.
        26.      AMRONOFF           SMIRNOFF         762505    17-Jul-   Proposed Awaiting
                 (Label)                                       1997      to     be hearing to be
                                                                         used      appointed.
        27.      BALKANOF           SMIRNOFF         878182    24-Sep-   Proposed Application
                 F                                             1999      to     be abandoned.

I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010                 Page 26 of 38
                                                                          used
        28.      RHUMNOFF           SMIRNOFF         646768    25-Nov-   Proposed    Awaiting
                                                               1994      to     be   hearing to be
                                                                         used        appointed.
        29.      CZARNOFF           SMIRNOFF         628245    17-May-   Proposed    Application
                                                               1994      to     be   abandoned.
                                                                         used
        30.      CZARNOFF           SMIRNOFF         634116    18-Jul-   Proposed    Awaiting
                 IMPERIAL                                      1994      to     be   Counter
                 vodka                                                   used        Statement.
        31.      BALKANOF           SMRINOFF         879495    01-Oct-   Proposed    Awaiting
                 F                                             1999      to     be   Counter
                                                                         used        Statement.
        32.      AMRONOFF           SMIFNOFF         879482    01-Oct-   Proposed    Application
                                                               1999      to     be   abandoned.
                                                                         used
        33.      NOFF               SMIRNOFF         1611526   15-Oct-   Proposed  Awaiting
                                                               2007      to     be evidence in
                                                                         used      support     of
                                                                                   application.
        34.      NOF                SMIRNOFF         728798    01-Oct-   Proposed Awaiting
                                                               1996      to     be evidence in
                                                                         used      support     of
                                                                                   application.
        35.      CAPTAIN            CAPTAIN          903112    11-Feb-   Proposed Application
                 SCOTT                                         2000      to     be abandoned.
                 (Label)                                                 used
        36.      CAPTAIN            CAPTAIN          804959    05-Jun-   Proposed Application
                 DENIEL             MORGAN                     1998      to     be abandoned.
                                                                         used
        37.      CAPTAIN            CAPTAIN          804670    04-Jun-   Proposed Application
                 GREENE             MORGAN                     1998      to     be abandoned.
                                                                         used
        38.      CAPTAIN            CAPTAIN          868783    30-Jul-   Proposed Application
                 SCOTT              MORGAN                     1999      to     be abandoned.
                                                                         used
        39.      CAPTAIN            CAPTAIN          903094    11-Feb-   Proposed Application
                 GREENE             MORGAN                     2000      to     be abandoned.
                 logo                                                    used
        40.      CAPTAIN            CAPTAIN          845549    16-Mar-   Proposed Application
                 DANIEL             MORGAN                     1999      to     be abandoned.

I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010                 Page 27 of 38
                                                                          used
        41.      CAPTAIN            CAPTAIN          831752B   10-Dec-   Proposed Final
                 FISHER             MORGAN                     1998      to     be arguments
                                                                         used      concluded.
                                                                                   Awaiting
                                                                                   hearing
                                                                                   order.
        42.      CAPTAIN            CAPTAIN          869483    04-Aug-   Proposed Awaiting
                 FISHER             MORGAN                     1999      to     be Counter
                                                                         used      Statement.
        43.      CAPTAIN            CAPTAIN          945566    07-Aug-   Proposed Awaiting
                 FISHER             MORGAN                     2000      to     be Evidence in
                 (Label)                                                 used      support    of
                                                                                   Application.
        44.      CAPTAIN            CAPTAIN          831790    10-Dec-   Since     Awaiting
                 SCOTT              MORGAN                     1998      28/09/19 Counter
                                                                         98        Statement.
        45.      CAPTAIN            CAPTAIN          806552    17-Jun-   Proposed Awaiting
                 GREENE             MORGAN                     1998      to     be hearing to be
                                                                         used      appointed.
        46.      KHODAY'S           BLACK            518496    17-Oct-   31/10/19 Adverse
                 BLACK              LABEL                      1989      98        order
                 LABEL                                                             received.
                                                                                   Appeal filed.
        47.      GUDNNESS           GUINNESS         945042    04-Aug-   Proposed Application
                 (Label)                                       2000      to     be abandoned.
                                                                         used
        48.      BONDS              GREEN            806525    17-Jun-   Proposed Awaiting
                 GREEN              LABEL                      1998      to     be Counter
                 LABEL                                                   used      Statement.
        49.      BOND‟S             GREEN            900946    01-Feb-   Proposed Application
                 GREEN              LABEL                      2000      to     be abandoned.
                 LABEL                                                   used
                 (Label)
        50.      GORBEYS            GILBEY‟S         780412    01-Dec-   Proposed    Application
                                                               1997      to     be   abandoned.
                                                                         used
        51.      GORBEYS            GILBEY‟S         770976    16-Oct-   Proposed    Application
                                                               1997      to     be   abandoned.
                                                                         used


I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010                 Page 28 of 38
 53.     Thus, it will be seen that out of total 51 marks, 26 marks were

        abandoned, 02 marks were refused, hearing is awaited in rest of the

        cases and as stated above, an adverse order has been passed in one

        case.


54.     The Defendants have relied upon an order dated 05.07.2007 in I.A.

        No. 1717/ 2004 in CS (OS) No. 255/ 2004, DIAGEO NORTH

        AMERICA, INC. AND ANOTHER v. SHIVA DISTILLERIES

        LIMITED, where Defendant‟s Shiva Distilleries Limited mark

        "BRISNOFF" was found to be not deceptively or confusingly similar

        to the Plaintiff‟s trademark "SMIRNOFF". The order dated

        05.07.2007 passed in I.A. No. 1717/ 2004 is not applicable to the facts

        of the present case for several reasons. First, the Defendant in that case

        was already using the trademark "BRISNOFF". Secondly, it was

        found as a fact that the two trademarks were visually and phonetically

        dissimilar. All the more, the Defendant had undertaken "to stop using

        the eyebrow device and to alter the colour combination as offered by

        the learned counsel for the Defendant".


55.     In the instant case, the table extracted from para 21 of the plaint earlier

        clearly reveals that the Defendants want to ride on the goodwill and

        reputation of the Plaintiffs and that is why as many as 20 marks are

I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010           Page 29 of 38
         sought to be registered which prima facie, are similar to the Plaintiffs‟

        mark JOHNNIE WALKER. It is apparent that the Defendants have

        malafidely not only used the word WALKER, but have taken similar

        alphabets from first word JOHNNIE. Similarly, Defendant no. 1 got a

        mark VAT 999 registered as against the registered trademark VAT 69

        of the Plaintiffs. In N.R. Dongre and Others. V. Whirlpool

        Corporation and Another, (1996) 5 SCC 714, the Supreme Court

        dismissed an appeal against the order passed by a Division Bench of

        this Court upholding the order of learned Single Judge restraining the

        Respondent from using the trademark WHIRLPOOL although the

same had been got registered by the Respondent in spite of its opposition by the Appellant as it was established that the Appellant‟s trademark WHIRLPOOL although not registered in India had acquired reputation and goodwill in this country.

56. The Defendants applied for various marks numbering 54 stating that the marks are proposed to be used. As per Section 18 of the Act, a person claiming to be the proprietor of a trademark used or proposed to be used by him, is entitled to apply for registration of his trademark. It is apparent from the averments of para 19 that the application for registration of a number of trademarks was filed with the Registrar of I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010 Page 30 of 38 Trademarks under Section 18 of the Act between the year 1994 to 2000. Most the applications were filed during the period 1998 to 2000. None of the marks have so far has been used by Defendant no.1, although the instant suit was filed in the year 2010. A person claiming to be the proprietor of a trademark as referred to in Section 18 of the Act is a person who has already used or who proposes to use the trademark in respect of which an application has been made. The words proposed to be used by him do not refer to a person who does not intend to use the mark in foreseeable future. The fact that the trademark had not been used by the Defendants before applying for registration or even thereafter, for a long time itself shows that the Defendants were taking chance to get the mark registered as one such mark i.e., KHODAY‟S BLACK LABEL as given in para 21 and reproduced earlier was allowed to be registered in respect of which an appeal has been filed by the Plaintiffs. As per the averments made in para 11 of the preliminary objections to the written statement, the Defendants have been manufacturing liquor in India since before l968. It is stated in para 11 of the written statement that the Defendants have many registered and unregistered marks, including Peter Scot, Red Knight, Hercules Rum, Khodays Black Label etc. Thus, getting/ obtaining registration to similar or deceptively similar trademarks I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010 Page 31 of 38 shows the malafides of the Defendants. In N.R. Dongre (supra), the Supreme Court while affirming the judgment of a Division Bench of Delhi High Court held as under:

"15. The findings of the learned Single Judge, as affirmed on appeal by the Division Bench, are:
(i) Long prior user of the name of „WHIRLPOOL‟ by Plaintiff 1 and a trans-border reputation and goodwill extending to India to the use of that name;
(ii) Prior registration of that name even in India from 1956-57 to 1977 against the earliest claim by the Defendants from 1986 (the date of application for registration);
(iii) Grant of registration to the Defendants on 12-8-

1992, only on the ground of proposed user instead of actual user, which was opposed by the Plaintiffs and is subject to the outcome in the pending appeal;

(iv) No reliable evidence of the Defendants having marketed their washing machines for any considerable length of time prior to grant of the interlocutory injunction;

(v) Irreparable injury to the Plaintiffs' reputation and goodwill with whom the name of „WHIRLPOOL‟ is associated, because of the washing machines of the Defendants not being of the same standard and quality of performance as the Plaintiffs' machines;

(vi) On the other hand, no injury to the Defendants by grant of the injunction inasmuch as the Defendants' washing machines can be sold under the other names used earlier, with the removal and replacement only of I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010 Page 32 of 38 the small metallic strip which bears the offensive trade mark/name which includes „WHIRLPOOL‟; and

(vii) There is no justification to accuse the Plaintiffs of culpable delay, acquiescence and laches or abandonment so as to disentitle them from the relief of injunction.

It has also been held that there is no plausible explanation offered by the Defendants for recently adopting the mark „WHIRLPOOL‟ when business in washing machines was being carried out earlier in other names, which at this stage, is supportive of the plea of unfair trading activity in an attempt to obtain economic benefit of the reputation established by Plaintiff 1, whose name is associated with the mark „WHIRLPOOL‟. The Plaintiffs' conduct in opposing the Defendants' application for registration as soon as it was notified and persisting in the opposition by filing an appeal against the Registrar's order and then an application for rectification of the entry in the register on grant of the certificate and also filing the suit without delay is referred by the trial court as sufficient to suggest that there was no abandonment of the mark, acquiescence or laches by the Plaintiffs."

57. There is consensus of judicial opinion that a part of the trade mark which is likely to confuse the consumer will also amount to infringement of the trade mark. In De Cordova v. Vick Chemical Co., (1951) 68 RPC 103, the Plaintiffs were using the trade mark containing the words „Vick‟s VapoRub‟ as an essential feature registered in Jamaica. The Defendants used a similar label with words „Karsote Vapour Rub‟. It was held that the expression "VapoRub" had I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010 Page 33 of 38 become distinctive of the Plaintiffs‟ goods in Jamaica and action for infringement was held to be successful.

58. In M/s. Atlas Cycle Industries Ltd. v. Hind Cycles Limited, ILR 1973 Delhi 393, while dealing with two rival trademarks „Royal Star‟ and „Eastern Star‟ of the parties, the Division Bench of this Court held that the trade mark „Royal Star‟ adopted and used by the Defendant was similar to the Plaintiff‟s trade mark „Eastern Star‟.

59. In Himalaya Drug Company v. S.B.L. Limited, 2013 (53) PTC 1 (Del.), a Division Bench of this Court held as under:-

"25. After having considered the above mentioned decisions, it is clear to us that it is not the right test of a meticulous comparison of two marks, letter by letter and syllable by syllable. It is the person who only knows the one mark and has perhaps an impression, or imperfect recollection of it, who is likely to be deceived or confused. In fact it depends on first impression of a person. In case he is aware or familiar with both rival marks of the parties he will neither be deceived or confused. The degree of similarity between the two rival marks and which depends upon the first impression whether visual or phonetic and in case court finds that there is a risk of confusion which is the public interest should not be authorised. The question is merely the dispute of inter se between the parties but it is matter of right by the registered proprietor who got the exclusive rights to protect the same, otherwise, many competing marks would be available in the market in due course and uncertainty might happen in case the infringer is allowed to use similar mark."
I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010 Page 34 of 38

60. Further, it has been held that the ascertainment of an essential feature of a trademark can be judged even if a word forming a part of a trademark has come in trade to be used to identify the goods of the owner of the trademark. Even use of that part of the mark would amount to infringement of the mark itself as the part of the mark is likely to result into confusion. The likelihood of confusion or deception in such cases is not disproved by placing the 2 marks side by side and demonstrating how small the chance of error is by any customer who places his order for the goods with both the marks clearly before him, for orders are not often placed under such conditions. In most cases, the eye is not an accurate recorder of visual detail and marks are rather remembered by general impressions or by some significant detail than by photographic recollection of the whole. Hence, in De Cordova v. Vick Chemical Co., (1951) 68 RPC 103, the Defendants who used a similar label with words „Karsote Vapour Rub‟ to the Plaintiffs‟ label containing the words „Vick‟s VapoRub‟ were held guilty of infringement. Similarly, this Court in Himalaya Drug Company v. S.B.L. Limited, 2013 (53) PTC 1 (Del.) (DB), held the Defendant using the mark „Liv-T‟ similar to Plaintiff‟s mark „Liv. 52‟ guilty of infringement as the part of the mark „Liv‟ was similar. I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010 Page 35 of 38

61. For a Plaintiff to be entitled to the relief of ad interim injunction, the Plaintiff has to satisfy the triple test of strong prima facie case, balance of convenience and irreparable loss and injury in case the injunction sought for is not granted.

62. I have earlier given detailed reasons to demonstrate that the Defendants, particularly Defendant no. 1 has attempted to use or has actually used or has applied for registration of the trade marks which are similar or are deceptively or confusingly similar to the marks of which the Plaintiffs are the proprietors. Defendant no. 1 got registration of some of the marks as mentioned in para 20 of the application which were deceptively similar to the registered trademark of the Plaintiffs. Out of these, the trademark CAPTAIN WALKER, PETEWALKER and PETEWALKR have not been renewed by Defendant no. 1. As stated above, Defendant no. 1‟s mark KHODEY BLACK & WHITE, VAT 999, GUDNESS and BOND‟S GREEN LABEL are similar or confusingly or deceptively similar to the Plaintiffs‟ mark BLACK & WHITE, VAT 69, GUINNES and GREEN LABEL respectively. It is also established that the Defendants have also been using or have adopted deceptively or confusingly similar marks to the marks of the third parties which have I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010 Page 36 of 38 been opposed by them. Hence, the Plaintiffs have established a strong prima facie case in their favour.

63. As far as question of irreparable loss and injury is concerned, because of the use of the deceptively or confusingly similar trademarks to those of the Plaintiffs, the Defendants are not only causing financial loss to the Plaintiffs but have also caused immense loss to the Plaintiffs‟ reputation. Although, Defendant no. 1 is an old company dealing in liquor and alcohol, yet no reason has been given by Defendant no. 1 for adopting the marks similar to the trademark of the Plaintiffs. Thus, it is also clear that there will be irreparable loss and injury if the injunction sought is not granted.

64. Balance of convenience also tilts in favour of the Plaintiffs as the Plaintiffs are entitled to the protection of their trademarks so that the same are not diluted by unwarranted use by the Defendants or third parties.

65. The Plaintiffs, therefore, have been able to make out a case for grant of ad interim injunction in their favour. The application is disposed of with grant of ad interim injunction in favour of the Plaintiffs and against the Defendants restraining them from: I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010 Page 37 of 38

(i) either jointly or severally using or asserting any right to use any of the trademarks mentioned in paras 5 to 16 of the plaint or any other trademark specifically mentioned in para 20 of the plaint or any other trademark similar to any trademark of any of the Plaintiffs, till the disposal of the suit; and
(ii) from passing of the goods as the goods of the Plaintiffs with the trademark KHODEY BLACK & WHITE, VAT 999, GUDNESS, BOND‟S GREEN LABEL, CAPTAIN WALKER, PETEWALKER, PETEWALKR and NOF specifically mentioned in para 20 of the application (I.A. No. 16758/ 2010) or any other trademark similar to the trademarks of the Plaintiffs as mentioned in paras 5 to 16 of the plaint, till the disposal of the suit.
CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010

66. List for admission/ denial of documents before the Joint Registrar on 15.10.2014.

(G.P. MITTAL) JUDGE SEPTEMBER 03, 2014 vk/pst I.A.s No. 16758/2010 and 1908/2012 in CS (OS) No. 2510/ 2010 Page 38 of 38