TRADEMARK
RELIANCE SECURES INJUNCTION IN TIRA TRADEMARK FRAUD
Reliance Retail (Plaintiff) secured an ex parte interim injunction from the Delhi HC against unidentified fraudsters (Defendants) misusing the ‘Tira’ trademark to operate large-scale financial scams. The Defendants had been impersonating Reliance personnel through WhatsApp calls, fake UPI IDs, and forged identity cards, leading to over 8,900 consumer complaints and Rs. 41 lakhs in reported losses. The Court termed the Defendants’ conduct as “blatant impersonation with a view to defraud the unwary,” and issued immediate directions to WhatsApp, telecom providers, and NPCI to suspend all associated accounts and UPI mechanisms.
1. Reliance Retail Ltd. v. Ashok Kumar & Ors., CS(COMM) 647/2025; Delhi High Court
TRADEMARK
“OLD MIST” RUM RESTRAINED FOR MIMICKING OLD MONK BRANDING
Mohan Meakin Ltd. (Plaintiff), the long-time proprietor of the iconic “Old Monk” rum trademark, instituted a suit against Eston Roman Brewery & Distillery Pvt. (Defendant) Ltd. for launching a coffee-flavoured rum under the brand name “Old Mist,” alleging deceptive similarity and infringement. The Plaintiff contended that “Old Mist” not only mimicked the phonetic structure of “Old Monk” but also targeted the same consumer base, thus creating a high likelihood of confusion in the marketplace.
On 9 July 2025, the Himachal Pradesh HC granted an ex-parte ad-interim injunction restraining the Defendant from using the impugned mark on any alcoholic beverage. The Court took note of the phonetic overlap, identical product category, and the fame associated with “Old Monk” as factors justifying urgent intervention. The matter is posted for further hearing later this month.
1.Mohan Meakin Ltd. v. Eston Roman Brewery & Distillery Pvt. Ltd., Commercial Suit No. 07 of 2025, Himachal Pradesh High Court
TRADEMARK
DISNEY SUES OVER UNAUTHORISED “MICKEY MOUSE” JEWELLERY
The Walt Disney Company (Plaintiff) has filed a federal lawsuit in Los Angeles against Hong Kong-based Red Earth Group (Defendant), which markets jewellery under the brand “Satéur”. It alleged unauthorised use of Mickey Mouse imagery in its “Mickey 1928 Collection”. Disney claims that although the earliest version of Mickey is in the public domain, Red Earth continues to rely on trademark rights by presenting the character as if officially, licensed, thereby misleading consumers.
The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction to restrain Red Earth from marketing the collection, along with an account of profits, statutory damages, and reimbursement of legal costs. It also calls for the destruction of all infringing materials in the Red Earth’s possession. The Court is yet to pass any preliminary order and is expected to hear the matter in the coming weeks.
1.Disney Enterprises, Inc. v. Red Earth Group Limited (d/b/a Satéur), Case No. 2:25 cv 06469, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
TRADEMARK
ACTOR VIJAY SERVED NOTICE IN SUIT OVER PARTY FLAG DESIGN
In a trademark infringement suit filed by G.B. Pachaiyappan and the Thondai Mandala Saandror Dharma Paribalana Sabai Trust, actor Vijay and his political outfit, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has been mentioned as defendants. The Plaintiffs are claiming rights over a registered flag mark featuring a tri-band of red and yellow stripes with a central circular emblem, as they allege that the recently adopted flag bears near-identical visual elements with that of the Plaintiffs and is likely to cause confusion among the public, particularly given the Trust’s long-standing association with socio-cultural welfare.
The Madras HC, after perusing the plaint, issued a notice to the defendants on 17 July 2025 and directed them to file a counter-affidavit within two weeks. The case raises a novel question on whether the identity symbols of political parties, though public in nature, can be subject to proprietary protection under the trademark law.
PATENT
SUN PHARMA CLEARS PATENT HURDLE TO LAUNCH LEQSELVI
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has settled its patent dispute with Incyte Corporation concerning the U.S. launch of its alopecia drug, Leqselvi (deuruxolitinib). According to official disclosures, Sun and Incyte executed a settlement and licence agreement in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, under which, Incyte granted Sun a limited, non-exclusive licence to U.S. Patent No. 9,662,335 and related patents for use of oral deuruxolitinib in non-oncology indications, such as severe alopecia areata.
In exchange, Sun will pay an upfront fee and ongoing royalties, and both parties have agreed to dismiss all pending ANDA (Abbreviated New Drug Application) litigation. As a result, the FDA-approved drug was launched in the U.S. on 14 July 2025. Analysts expect peak sales to reach between USD 400 million and 900 million annually.
miscellaneous
POKER PRO VIKRAM CHALLENGES TN’S AADHAAR AND GAMING RULES
Professional poker player P. Vikram Kumar, also known as Vikram Lungi, has filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court against the Madras HC’s June 2025 ruling upholding the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act, 2022, along with the 2025 Regulations. Kumar contends that the mandatory Aadhaar-based KYC requirement and the blanket curfew on real-money online gaming platforms from midnight to 5 AM are unconstitutional, disproportionately infringing on his fundamental rights under Articles 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution. He further argues that these regulations exceed the State’s legislative competence, as they pertain to telecommunications and the internet, subjects within the Central Government’s jurisdiction under Entry 31 of the Union List. The petition contends that the Madras HC erred in treating poker as a game of chance rather than skill. The SC has admitted the petition, and the matter is now pending.
1. P. Vikram Kumar v. State of Tamil Nadu & Ors., SLP/2025; Supreme Court of India
