In the latest development, the Bombay High Court has released a temporary order to impede Meta Platforms from propagating a video featuring Patanjali Foods Limited's brand name - MAHAKOSH, across their platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp.
In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has granted an ad-interim injunction to Patanjali Foods Limited, a leading manufacturer and marketer of edible oils, in the case Patanjali Foods Limited vs. Meta Platforms Inc & Ors. The case concerns the alleged infringement of the trademark 'MAHAKOSH', held by Patanjali Foods.
Key points in the latest update:
- John Doe Action: Patanjali sought a John Doe suit to restrain unknown defendants from infringing its trademark 'MAHAKOSH' on Meta Platforms, targeting infringing accounts/pages on Facebook and Instagram without naming them specifically.
- Temporary Injunction: Patanjali requested an interim injunction to prevent Meta Platforms from allowing the use of 'MAHAKOSH' or any confusingly similar marks on its platforms.
- Court’s Decision: The Delhi High Court granted an ad-interim injunction restraining Meta Platforms from allowing any account or page to use the trademark 'MAHAKOSH' or similar marks, based on Patanjali’s established rights, and permitted the John Doe action to proceed due to the nature of online infringement where infringers are not specifically identifiable.
- Further Proceedings: The court has scheduled further hearings for detailed examination and to decide on the continuance of the injunction and other reliefs.
This case marks a significant development in using John Doe suits for brand protection on digital platforms, ensuring e-commerce and social media companies like Meta take prompt action against trademark infringement.
The court order does not include any relief against Google, as the Plaintiff decided not to press the relief against the tech giant. The order also directs Meta Platforms to take down the URLs of the impugned video, which was circulated on a Facebook page in April 2023, containing disparaging remarks against the Plaintiff's product and trademark MAHAKOSH.
The impugned video remains the focus of the court order. Patanjali provided evidence of the presence in the edible oil market through sales turnover and advertisement expenditure. No additional evidence was provided regarding Google's involvement in the case.
The case will be considered further on 27 June, 2023. If required, I can provide updates, court documents, or detailed summaries from the latest orders.
- In light of the ongoing dispute, it's crucial for Meta Platforms, as a finance-driven technology company, to adhere to the court's decision and prevent any business that infringes on Patanjali Foods Limited's trademark 'MAHAKOSH' or similar marks on their platforms.
- The ongoing case serves as a precedent for e-commerce and social media businesses, demonstrating the significance of business ethics and responsibility in protecting trademarks, especially in the digital age.
