In the High Court of Delhi, CS(COMM) 87/2024, I.A. 32018/2024, Pramit Sanghavi and others (plaintiffs) filed a suit against Energy Beverages Private Limited and another (defendants) seeking an interim injunction to prevent the defendants from using a design for natural mineral water bottles that allegedly infringes on the plaintiffs' registered designs. The plaintiffs, are market leaders in the packaged natural mineral water industry, owning brands like QUA, and have significant sales and advertising expenditures. They hold registered design numbers 281573 and 311139, which are allegedly being infringed by the defendants' "NU" water bottle design.
The defendants contend that their design is significantly different from the plaintiffs' and that the plaintiffs' designs are not original, as they are commonly found in the market. They also argue that the plaintiffs' design registrations are not conclusive and seek cancellation of the registrations under the Designs Act, 2000.
Justice Saurabh Banerjee, after reviewing the evidence and arguments, found that the defendants' bottle design is strikingly similar to the plaintiffs' registered designs, with only minor alterations. The court held that the plaintiffs have established a prima facie case for infringement and that the defendants have not provided substantive grounds for cancellation of the design registrations. The court granted the plaintiffs an interim injunction, restraining the defendants from using the infringing design until the suit is resolved.
Case Citation: Pramit Sanghavi Vs Energy Beverages Pvt. Ltd.:10.07.2024 :CS(COMM) 87/2024 :Delhi High Court: Saurabh Banerjee: H.J.
Advocate Ajay Amitabh Suman
IP Adjutor [Patent and Trademark Attorney]
