A Legally Enforceable Debt IV

Though a post-dated cheque might be drawn to represent a legally enforceable debt at the time of its drawing, the cheque must represent the legally enforceable debt at the time of encashment. The sum, as represented in the cheque at the time of encashment, was not owed. Since the cheque did not represent the […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Preventive Detention Statute IV

Ashok Kumar v. Delhi Administration, (1982) 2 SCC 403: Preventive Detention is devised to afford protection to society. Sk. Nizamuddin v. State of West Bengal, (1975) 3 SCC 395: if there is any delay in arresting, pursuant to ‘order of detention’, which is prima facie unreasonable, State must give reasons explaining. Bhawarlal Ganeshmalji v. State […]

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 […]

Review of Death Penalty XXX

While every delay in forwarding FIRs may not necessarily be fatal, Courts may be duty bound to see effect of such delay on creditworthiness of investigation. State of Rajasthan v. Daud Khan, (2016) 2 SCC 607 interpreted ‘forthwith’ appearing in Section 157(1) of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. On question of compliance of Section […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

Uno Minda v. Minda Uto

Plaintiffs cannot seek a restraint against Defendants from using their registered trademark ‘MINDA UTO’ for Plaintiffs do not have registration for said goods under Class 04 while Defendants do. In view of Section 31 of The Trade Marks Act, 1999 registration of the trademark is prima facie evidence of its validity in favor of Defendants. […]

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 […]

Referred to Larger Bench XXXI: Two Sets of Three-Judge Benches

There exists a clear conflict. It is necessary to have clarity. _____ Same-Day Sentencing in a Capital Offence violates Principles of Natural Justice and is opposed to Section 235(2) of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Dattaraya v. State of Maharashtra, (2020) 14 SCC 290; Bhagwani v. State of Madhya Pradesh, Criminal Appeal Nos. […]

White Lace v. Wild Lake

Plaintiff has ‘WHITE LACE’ gin, ‘WHITE LACE’ vodka et cetera. It is submitted, on account of long, continuous and extensive use of the trade mark ‘WHITE LACE’ in relation to alcoholic beverages, Plaintiff has attained immense goodwill and reputation. It is submitted, Defendant has been selling identical products under the impugned mark: ‘WILD LAKE’. […]

Reasonable Restriction III

Though there is a fundamental right to establish educational institutions, same can be subject to ‘reasonable restrictions’ which are found necessary in general public interest. We may observe, there could indeed be a necessity to impose certain restrictions so as to prevent mushrooming growth of Pharmacy Colleges. Such restrictions may be in larger general public […]

Exhumation

15.11.2021 There was an encounter between Militants and Police at Hyderpora area of Budgam in Kashmir. Four Militants were shot dead including Amir Latief Magrey, son of Mohammad Latief Magrey. Ultimately, the body was buried at Wadder Payeen Graveyard. Hon’ble Justice Sanjeev Kumar, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir & Ladakh, 27.05.2022: When dead bodies […]

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) […]

Locus Standi in Access to Justice

If persons who participated in a selection process but who could not make it to the final list of selected candidates on account of alleged corrupt practices adopted by those in power are not ‘victims’, we do not know who else could be a ‘victim’. Section 2(wa) of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Hon’ble […]

Section 7 of The Arbitration Act

Three recitals strongly point towards an unambiguous intention of parties to refer their dispute(s) to Arbitration. Even though Clause 18 lacks certain essential characteristics, in a Development Agreement which otherwise fortifies intention of parties to Arbitrate, deficiency of words cannot legitimize annulment of an Arbitration Clause. Three-Judge Bench in Enercon (India) Ltd., (2014) 5 SCC […]

Lalita Kumari IV

A ‘public servant’ is said to commit ‘criminal misconduct’ if he is in ‘possession’ of pecuniary resources disproportionate to his ‘known sources of income’ for which the ‘public servant’ cannot ‘satisfactorily account’. Explanation to Section 13(1)(e) of The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 defines ‘known sources of income’ to mean, income received from any […]

The Last Word

A Diversion for Lawyers and Others