SC Dismisses CCI’s Appeal in Ericsson-Monsanto Patent Case
The Supreme Court (SC) of India has dismissed the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) appeal against a Delhi High Court (DHC) order concerning investigations into Ericsson and Monsanto’s patent practices. The DHC had ruled that the Patents Act supersedes the Competition Act in matters of patent rights, and the SC upheld this decision, emphasizing the primacy of patent law in such disputes.
BHC: No Trademark Relief for Mangalam: “Prima Facie” Isn’t Enough
The Bombay High Court (BHC) reaffirmed that, in trademark disputes, courts can only intervene if rival registrations are ex facie illegal, fraudulent, or egregiously unjust, not merely prima facie invalid. The plaintiff, Mangalam Organics Ltd, failed to show that the defendant’s “KARPURE” or “AIR KARPURE” marks were deceptively similar to its “CAMPURE” mark. Interlocutory relief was denied.
BHC Restores Ban on Cognizant Logo Use in India
The Bombay High Court (BHC) has reinstated the 19 March 2024 injunction barring Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp from using its logo in India. A division bench (Chief Justice Alok Aradhe, Justice Sandeep V. Marne) overturned a June 13, 2024 order that permitted its use, pending resolution of the trademark suit filed by Atyati Technologies Pvt. Ltd. The hearing has been expedited.
DHC Stops “VIVOLINE”, Grants Permanent Injunction to Valvoline
The Delhi High Court (DHC) has restrained Suresh Kumar Trading from using the deceptively similar mark ‘VIVOLINE’, ruling in favour of Valvoline (VGP IPCO LLC). Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora found the imitation of Valvoline’s brand and trade dress to be infringing. DHC ordered takedowns from e-commerce sites and directed the Trademark Registry to expedite withdrawal of the infringing application.
DHC Grants Interim Relief to Zepto in Trademark Infringement, Orders Takedown of Fake Websites
The Delhi High Court (DHC) has granted interim relief to Zepto Private Limited in a trademark infringement case, directing the removal of fraudulent websites and social media accounts misusing its brand name. The DHC found that the defendants were unlawfully using Zepto’s trademarks to deceive the public, leading to potential financial harm.
DHC Backs Haveli Restaurants, Bars ‘Punjabi Haveli’ From Using Mark
The Delhi High Court (DHC) has granted an ex-parte ad interim injunction in favour of Haveli Restaurant and Resorts (Haveli) against Adison Resorts, restraining “Punjabi Haveli” from using the mark. Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora found the defendant copied the red-and-white trade dress, décor, font style, and overall ambience to ride on Haveli’s goodwill. Ads, boards, and social listings must come down.
DHC Orders Blocking of Fake “Burger King” Franchise Sites, Freezes Linked Bank Accounts
The Delhi High Court (DHC) has ordered the suspension of fraudulent domain names and email IDs impersonating Burger King, directed ISPs to block the websites, and froze multiple bank accounts tied to the scheme. Justice Prathiba M. Singh found the fake franchise offers deceptive and harmful, prompting immediate protective measures. Compliance reports from registrars, banks, and telecom bodies have been mandated ahead of the next hearing.
WBD Sues Midjourney Over AI Copyright Theft
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has filed a lawsuit against Midjourney, accusing it of copyright infringement by using training data featuring iconic characters; including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Scooby-Doo, and Bugs Bunny, to enable subscribers to generate unauthorized images. WBD alleges Midjourney removed prior safeguards and profits from the misuse. The studio seeks damages, disgorgement, and an injunction to halt further unauthorized content.
USPTO Notice: TTAB Revises Timeline to File an Answer
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a notice regarding trial proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). Under Docket No. PTO–T–2025–0024, the agency announced a change in the time initially set for filing an answer in TTAB proceedings, aiming to streamline case management and improve procedural efficiency for parties involved.
USITC Receives Patent Complaint to Block LCD Imports
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has received a complaint from BH Innovations LLC seeking to block imports of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) used in televisions and other devices, alleging patent violations. The complaint targets major manufacturers, including TCL, Hisense, LG Electronics, and Vizio. The USITC has invited public and governmental comments on the potential impact of the requested import ban.
EMA Flags Surge in Online Sales of Counterfeit Weight‑Loss Drugs
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has warned of a sharp uptick in online sales of counterfeit weight‑loss and diabetes medications across the EU. The illicit products, including fake versions of Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro—pose serious public health risks, potentially lacking active substances or containing harmful additives. Fraud proliferates via fake social media profiles, ads, and unauthorized e‑commerce listings.
