Novartis AG, a global pharmaceutical giant, has been using its famous trademark “NOVARTIS” in India since 1996 and built huge reputation through massive sales and advertising. In 2024 it discovered a Bihar-based group called Noviets Pharma selling medicines and veterinary products under the very similar name “NOVIETS” on websites like IndiaMart.
Novartis sent legal notices and opposed their trademark but received no proper reply, so it filed a suit in the Delhi High Court asking for an immediate order to stop the use. The defendants argued the court had no jurisdiction because their business is in Bihar, the marks look and sound different, and they only use “NOVIETS” as a company name, not a brand.
The judge first ruled that Delhi has jurisdiction because the defendants’ IndiaMart page lists a Delhi address and their online presence reaches customers here.
He then compared the two marks and found “NOVIETS” is so close to “NOVARTIS” in spelling, sound and look that ordinary buyers, especially with doctors’ handwriting, could easily mix them up — especially dangerous for medicines.
Novartis proved its strong goodwill with huge sales figures, while the defendants could not explain why they chose such a similar name and had even tried to register it themselves. The court said this was a clear case of trademark infringement and passing off, the balance of convenience favoured Novartis, and any delay would harm its reputation.
On 28 February 2026 the court granted the interim injunction, stopping the defendants and everyone connected with them from using “NOVIETS” or any similar mark for pharmaceutical or veterinary products until the full trial is over.
Title: Novartis AG Vs Noviets Pharma: 28.02.2026:CS(COMM) 218/2024:2026:DHC:1827:Tejas Karia, H.J..
Disclaimer: Do not treat this as substitute for legal advise as it may contain subjective errors.
Written By: Advocate Ajay Amitabh Suman, IP Adjutor [Patent and Trademark Attorney], High Court of Delhi
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