Madras High Court | Intellepedia

Refusal of FACT Trademark for Air/Water Purification Products Set Aside

The Madras High Court reversed the refusal of the FACT trademark for air and water purification products, noting clear sectoral distinctions from existing marks. The decision underscores the importance of distinctiveness and product classification in trademark registration.

CIT Trademark: Coimbatore Institute of Technology Prevails over Chennai Institute of Technology

The Madras High Court ruled that Coimbatore Institute of Technology’s prior use entitled it to exclusive rights over the CIT trademark. The court ordered the removal of the respondent’s registration, highlighting the importance of distinctiveness and transparency in trademark disputes.

SCRUM Alliance’s Rectification Petition relating to ‘CSM’ Mark Dismissed based on Honest/Concurrent Use

The Madras High Court dismissed Scrum Alliance’s petition for rectification of the CSM trademark, citing insufficient proof of prior use and upholding honest and concurrent use by the respondent. The decision clarifies the application of Section 34 of the Trade Marks Act regarding concurrent rights.

Subsequent User’s ‘Suguna’ Trademark for Grinders Rectified Despite Proof of Use from 2001

The Madras High Court cancelled the SUGUNA trademark registration for grinders, favouring prior user rights of the petitioners with established goodwill since 1959. The respondent’s claims of honest concurrent use were rejected due to insufficient evidence.

Copyright Disputes in Partnerships are Arbitrable

The Madras High Court has clarified that copyright disputes arising within partnerships, particularly as matters of misuse of partnership assets, are arbitrable. This case demonstrates the enforceability of arbitration clauses in partnership deeds for resolving such disputes under Indian law.

Methods for Antibody Production in Genetically Modified Animals are Patentable; they are not covered under Section 3(i) Exclusion

The Madras High Court ruled that methods for producing antibodies in genetically modified animals are patentable under Indian law and are not excluded by Section 3(i). This decision clarifies the scope of patent eligibility for biotechnological inventions involving animal models.

Section 3(j), Essentially biological processes and human intervention

The Madras High Court considered whether human intervention in a plant breeding method excluded it from section 3(j) of the Patents Act. The case was remanded to the Patent Office, underlining the importance of clear reasoning in patent refusals involving essentially biological processes.

Prakash Pipes prevails over later trademark for ‘Prakash’

The Madras High Court cancelled a later identical trademark registration, upholding Prakash Pipes’ prior rights and extensive use. The Court found the later registration was malicious and reinforced the importance of trademark non-use provisions in India.

Thou shall not ‘STEEL’ a trademark, says court

The Madras High Court has ruled in favour of Prakash Ferrous Industries, granting them an injunction over the TIRUMALA trademark for TMT steel bars. The judgment reinforces the importance of prior use and documentary proof in Indian trademark law.

A doped order on method of doping, court clarifies

The Madras High Court upheld the Patent Office’s refusal of IIT Madras’s patent application for a method of doping potassium into ammonium perchlorate. The judgment clarifies the application of Section 3d and inventive step requirements in Indian patent law.