In a case filed by Louis Vuitton Malletier seeking permanent injunction, damages, and other reliefs against the defendants, Mini Pushkarna, J., highlighted that the sole issue before the Court was the unauthorised use of Copyrighted Images by the defendants, which were copyrighted to the plaintiff. Consequently, the Court prohibited the defendants from using these photographs, images, and promotional materials. Additionally, the Court ruled that the defendants must pay ₹5,00,000 directly to the plaintiff in France, as requested by the plaintiff.
In January 2022 and November 2022, the plaintiff discovered that Defendants 1 and 2 were selling products on their website using unauthorised photographs and images copyrighted by the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who regularly conducts photoshoots for advertising its products, asserted that the rights to these images were exclusive. Concerns about the authenticity of the defendants’ products were raised, although the genuineness of the products was not a matter for this Court. The defendants had removed the infringing content from their website, and the Court decided that the plaintiff was entitled to costs.
The Court focused solely on the unauthorised use of copyrighted photographs and images. It issued an injunction against the defendants, forbidding the use of these materials and any promotional material owned by the plaintiff. The defendants were also instructed not to sell new plaintiff products without written consent but could continue selling certified pre-owned goods from the plaintiff, provided they clearly stated this on their website. The defendants were ordered to pay ₹5,00,000 directly to the plaintiff in France, as per the plaintiff’s request.
This judgement underscores the importance of respecting intellectual property rights and demonstrates the court’s commitment to upholding copyright laws. For businesses facing similar legal challenges or seeking to protect their intellectual property, Vakilsearch offers comprehensive legal services. Our experienced legal team specialises in intellectual property law and can guide you through the complexities of safeguarding your creative assets and ensuring compliance with the law.
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