Promissory Estoppel X

Motilal Padampat Sugar Mills, (1979) 2 SCC 409 was authored by Bhagwati J for a Two-Judge Bench. Within 2 years, Kailasam J for a Two-Judge Bench in Jit Ram Shiv Kumar, (1981) 1 SCC 11 found fault in Motilal Padampat Sugar Mills and held, observations made were not in tune with Judgments of Constitution Benches […]

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No Turn

It is evident, Plaintiff has a registered trade mark – ‘NO TURN’. Plaintiff has been in continuous use of this trade mark since 15.01.2008. Defendant is the prior user of the mark since 2007. The use of the mark by Defendant is intermittent and not voluminous so as to establish the defence under Section 34 […]

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One Mark, One Source, One Proprietor

‘Classic Trinity Test’ of ‘Goodwill, Misrepresentation and Damages’ [Reckitt and Colman Products Ltd. v. Borden Inc, [1990] 1 All ER 873] – Satisfied. _____ Both parties claim proprietary rights and utilize the mark ‘GeoCrete’ in respect of identical goods. To permit concurrent use, in factual situation noted, would cause public confusion and result in violation […]

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Ex Debito Justitiae II

The principle of ‘ex debito justitiae‘ has been emphasized. No man should suffer because of mistakes of Court. To err is human and Courts including Apex Court are no exception. It has been held, rules of procedure are handmaidens of justice and not mistresses of justice. The principle of ‘ex debito justitiae‘ cannot be given […]

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Lord Hale’s Ghost Returns

The concept of dignity forms the very foundation to the Constitution and the rights enshrined in it [Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, (1973) 4 SCC 225]. _____ Statutes are considered to be ‘always speaking’ [Dharni Sugars and Chemicals Ltd. v. Union of India, (2019) 5 SCC 480]. Court’s power to purposively interpret a statutory […]

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Comparative Advertising II

Reckitt states, on 15.03.1979, it registered the word mark ‘HARPIC’. HUL also manufactures and markets a toilet cleaner, which is sold under the trademark ‘DOMEX’. Learned Single Judge declined Reckitt’s prayer to interdict HUL from broadcasting a TV Commercial. It necessary, fair amount of latitude be available to advertisers. There is an element of creativeness […]

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Honourable Acquittal IV

Union Territory, Chandigarh Administration v. Pradeep Kumar, (2018) 1 SCC 797: whether it was an ‘honourable acquittal’ or only an extension of benefit of doubt, are aspects to be considered. State of Rajasthan v. Love Kush Meena, (2021) 8 SCC 774: mere fact of an acquittal would not suffice. Union of India v. Methu Meda, […]

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Bills of Lading

In 1968, Hague-Visby Rules introduced a modified version of International Convention for Unification of Certain Rules of Law relating to Bills of Lading [Hague Rules, 1924]. Hague-Visby Rules are enacted into English law by Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1971. Hague/Hague-Visby Rules were widely adopted internationally. Hamburg Rules were not accepted and Rotterdam Rules […]

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Domain Name III

Learned Single Judge did not agree, Courts in Delhi could have jurisdiction. It does not take much in the virtual world to masquerade as somebody else. According to us, principles surrounding territorial jurisdiction, in cases of online trade via internet websites, are fairly well established. Even if a website is not directed at customers in […]

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Star

HTC Corporation v. L.V. Degao, 2022 SCC OnLine Del 953 has held, where there are two registered trademarks, registration of the later trade mark may be refused or cancelled: (i) when deception or confusion results, (ii) there is a dishonest user, (iii) subsequent use is without due cause, (iv) there is bad faith, or (v) […]

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Honourable Acquittal III

Phool Singh had entered Rajasthan Police Service as a Constable in 1987. He was posted at Police Station: Mania, District: Dholpur (Rajasthan). The question before this Court is only to see whether Phool Singh can be reinstated for he has been acquitted by a Criminal Court. There should be no ambiguity in law on this […]

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Fourth Schedule Fee

Amendments made by Arbitration Amendment Act, 2019 have been somewhat a non-starter. _____ Fourth Schedule came into effect on 23.10.2015. Fourth Schedule is not applicable to International Commercial Arbitrations and where Arbitrators’ Fees are to be determined in accordance with Rules of Arbitral Institutions. _____ Arbitrator’s Fees must be fixed at inception to avoid unnecessary […]

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Bolt, Pre-Litigation Mediation

Estonia-based-Plaintiff submits, Defendants are using an identical mark ‘BOLT’ with an identical color scheme. Plaintiff: SC has held, when an urgent interim relief is being sought, suit can be filed without resorting to pre-litigation mediation. Defendants: SC has held, with effect from 20.08.2022, pre-litigation mediation under Section 12A of The Commercial Courts Act, 2015 is […]

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Writ Against Termination of Service by Private Bodies

St. Mary’s Education Society, registered under The Madhya Pradesh Society Registrikaran Adhiniyam, 1973, runs St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School in Mhow, Indore, Madhya Pradesh. St. Mary’s Education Society and St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School are absolutely private institutions, without any aid or control of Government or any instrumentality of Government, and therefore, not a ‘State’ […]

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No Bottle, Just Bottle I

Plaintiffs claim, lock, stock and barrel copying by Defendant. Defendant labels both Plaintiffs and itself as pirates, sailing in high seas of prior art(s). Hipster Bottles were launched by Plaintiff No. 1 in India in May, 2019. Plaintiff No. 1 is Proprietor of Registered Design No. 306577 in terms of Section 2(1)(j) of The Designs […]

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Comparative Advertising I

Marico’s grievance pertains to Dabur. It is alleged, impugned advertisements convey a clear message: Marico’s product is ineffective and useless. On behalf of Dabur it is contended, impugned advertisements are protected under Article 19(1)(a) and are legitimate, honest, truthful, well substantiated and statistically proven.   A balance has to be struck. An advertiser cannot, while […]

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Readiness and Willingness II

Pt. Prem Raj v. D.L.F. Housing and Construction (Private) Ltd., AIR 1968 SC 1355; N.P. Thirugnanam v. Dr. R. Jagan Mohan Rao, (1995) 5 SCC 115; His Holiness Acharya Swami Ganesh Dassji v. Sita Ram Thapar, (1996) 4 SCC 526; K.S. Vidyanadam v. Vairavan, (1997) 3 SCC 1; Balraj Taneja v. Sunil Madan, (1999) 8 […]

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Section 1(5) of The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948

Government of Maharashtra, on 18/09/1978, exercising power conferred under Section 1(5) of The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, extended provisions of ESI to certain classes of establishment – hotels, restaurants, shops, cinemas et cetera. Employees’ Insurance Court at Bombay, on 09/09/2021, declared, Board of Control for Cricket of India [BCCI/Board] is covered within meaning of […]

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