Case Title: YMI Ghar Soaps Private Limited Vs. Ashok Kumar Trading as Bendist Export Hamare Ghar Ka Soaps & Ors.
Date of Order: 19 August 2025
Case Number: CS(COMM) 849/2025
Name of Court: High Court of Delhi
Name of Judge: Ms. Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora
The plaintiff, YMI Ghar Soaps Private Limited, approached the court seeking protection against infringement and passing off of its trademark ‘GHAR SOAPS’ and related packaging by unknown, unscrupulous entities listing counterfeit products on various e-commerce platforms. The plaintiff started its business in 2019, incorporated the company in 2024, and claimed substantial sales and brand goodwill. It alleged that defendants were selling counterfeit soaps with similar packaging and trademarks, and were unfairly benefiting from ‘latching on’ to the plaintiff’s listings, resulting in consumer confusion and bad reviews negatively impacting the real brand.
The suit involved applications for leave to file documents, exemption from pre-litigation mediation, and exemption from advance service upon certain defendants, all of which were granted. The court directed several e-commerce platforms to provide information about sellers and to block infringing listings after the plaintiff amended the memo of parties.
The dispute centered on trademark and copyright infringement by John Doe defendants and the failure of e-commerce platforms to provide effective and lasting remedies against such listings. The plaintiff also pointed out that certain defendants misused commercial platform schemes to gain visibility and cause unfair competition and deception.
The court found that the plaintiff’s mark ‘GHAR SOAPS’ had acquired reputation and goodwill, and observed significant confusion for consumers due to counterfeit products with deceptively similar packaging on various platforms. It granted ex-parte interim injunction restraining defendants from using the plaintiff’s trademark, trade dress, or copyright works in any manner, and directed e-commerce platforms to block and remove fraudulent listings and take swift remedial action on plaintiffs’ requests. For one defendant, the court issued a limited direction to disconnect listings that misleadingly appeared alongside the plaintiff’s products.
Written By: Advocate Ajay Amitabh Suman, IP Adjutor [Patent and Trademark Attorney], High Court of Delhi
Disclaimer: This information report is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
