Case Title: Verizon Trademark Services LLC & Ors. Vs. Verizon Venture Advisors LLP & Anr.:Date of Order: 07 July 2025Case Number: CS(COMM) 659/2025:Court: High Court of Delhi at New Delhi:Judge: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Amit Bansal
The plaintiffs, members of the globally renowned Verizon Group, approached the Delhi High Court seeking permanent injunction and ancillary reliefs against the defendants for trademark infringement and passing off. The plaintiffs, who adopted and registered the trademark ‘VERIZON’ in the year 2000, alleged that Defendant No.1, Verizone Venture Advisors LLP, had registered a deceptively similar name incorporating their well-known mark without any legitimate business activity since its incorporation in 2014.
The procedural background involved multiple interim applications. The Court granted exemptions under Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 (regarding pre-institution mediation) and Section 80 of the CPC (notice to government body), and allowed submission of documents in electronic form and in non-originals, citing urgency and compliance with Commercial Courts framework. Summons were issued to the defendants, and directions were given regarding pleadings, evidence, and inspection timelines. The matter was scheduled for further proceedings on 9th September 2025 before the Joint Registrar and on 12th November 2025 before the Court.
The core dispute centered on the unauthorized use of the mark "Verizone" by the defendant LLP, which was deceptively similar to the plaintiffs’ trademark "VERIZON", declared well-known by the Court in an earlier 2023 judgment. Despite being inactive for years, the defendant continued to retain the corporate name, leading to confusion and dilution of the plaintiffs' brand. Investigations revealed the entity’s non-compliance with statutory requirements and acknowledgment by one of the partners that they were not actively using the name for business. Repeated cease and desist communications from the plaintiffs received no response.
Upon discussion, the Court observed a prima facie case of trademark infringement and passing off. Given the strength of the plaintiffs’ rights, continued use of the mark by the defendant was held likely to cause irreparable harm and confusion. The balance of convenience favored the plaintiffs.
Accordingly, the Court restrained the defendant and its associates from using the marks “Verizone”, “Verizone Ventures”, or any other name similar to “VERIZON”. The defendants were also directed to take down all infringing materials from both online and offline platforms. Compliance with Order XXXIX Rule 3 CPC was ordered within three days.
