The Delhi High Court has ruled in favor of renowned journalist Rajat Sharma, barring a man from using an imitation India TV logo and the trademark ‘Baap ki Adalat’ on social media. The news channel accused Ravindra Kumar Choudhary, a self-proclaimed political satirist, of infringing on its logo and trademark rights. Choudhary’s logo ‘Jhandiya TV’ closely resembled India TV’s, and his use of ‘Baap ki Adalat” mimicked the popular show ‘Aap ki Adalat,’ hosted by Sharma.
The single-judge bench led by Justice Anish Dayal decided on May 30 that the defendant, Ravindra Kumar Choudhary, cannot use Sharma’s image, video, or name in any way that could violate Sharma’s personality rights. This includes using them as a trademark, logo, trading style, domain name, or in social media posts and audio-video content.
The court’s decision followed a lawsuit filed by Sharma and his company, Independent News Service Private Limited, the owner of the IndiaTV news channel. The plaintiffs claimed that Choudhary, a self-proclaimed political satirist, was creating and publishing audio-video content on social media platforms using a logo and the mark ‘Baap Ki Adalat’, which they argued was deceptively similar to IndiaTV’s logo and its well-known show ‘Aap Ki Adalat’.
Sharma emphasised that Choudhary’s use of the logo in his social media posts was identical to the way Sharma used his trademark on his channels. The High Court determined that the plaintiffs had established a ‘prima facie case’ for an ex parte ad interim injunction until the next hearing, noting that the balance of convenience favoured the plaintiffs and that they would likely suffer irreparable harm if the injunction was not granted.
The court’s order stated that the plaintiff had successfully demonstrated a prima facie case warranting the issuance of an ex parte ad interim injunction until the next hearing. It was determined that the balance of convenience was in the plaintiff’s favor, and that they would likely suffer irreparable harm if the requested injunction was not granted. Summons have been issued for the lawsuit, and notice has been given regarding the plaintiffs’ application for interim relief. The next hearing is scheduled for October 18.
As per our experts this decision not only safeguards the brand integrity of India TV and its popular show ‘Aap ki Adalat’ but also sets a significant precedent for similar cases involving digital content and social media platforms. The court’s order for social media giants to remove infringing content further highlights the evolving legal landscape where online intellectual property rights are vigorously defended.
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Our expert team handles everything from filing applications to managing legal disputes, providing you with peace of mind. In light of the Delhi High Court’s recent ruling on trademark infringement, it’s more important than ever to safeguard your brand. Trust Vakilsearch to navigate the complexities of trademark law, so you can focus on growing your business. Secure your trademark with us today and protect your brand’s future.
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