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A high-profile trademark dispute between real estate moguls Lodha brothers—Abhishek Lodha and Abhinandan Lodha—has concluded through mediation, ending a legal battle that spanned over two months. The dispute, centred on the use of the ‘Lodha’ brand name, involved their respective real estate businesses—Macrotech Developers Limited (commonly known as Lodha Group) and The House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL).
The Bombay High Court referred the case to mediation on 31 January 2025, after Abhishek Lodha, Chief Executive Officer of Macrotech Developers, filed a ₹5,000 crore lawsuit seeking to restrain his younger brother Abhinandan from using the family surname in connection with his businesses. Retired Supreme Court judge Justice R.V. Raveendran was appointed as the mediator.
On 13 April 2025, both parties submitted a joint statement confirming the amicable resolution of the dispute. The mediation process concluded ahead of the extended deadline, and the mediator is expected to submit a final report to the High Court in the coming days. Once the court accepts the report, it will formally close the case.
Key Terms of the Settlement
As part of the settlement, the Lodha brothers agreed to a clear demarcation of their respective business identities. The agreement is based on four principal terms:
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Exclusive Rights: Macrotech Developers Ltd., led by Abhishek Lodha, retains exclusive ownership and usage rights to the brand names ‘Lodha’ and ‘Lodha Group’.
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Independent Branding: Abhinandan Lodha, who leads HoABL, holds exclusive rights to use the brand ‘House of Abhinandan Lodha’.
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No Cross-Affiliation: Both parties have acknowledged that the Lodha Group and HoABL are entirely independent entities with no affiliation. They have agreed to publicly communicate this separation to avoid confusion among consumers.
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No Mutual Claims: Abhinandan Lodha has no rights or claims over Macrotech Developers or any other businesses of Abhishek Lodha. Similarly, Abhishek Lodha has no rights or claims over HoABL or any other business run by Abhinandan Lodha.
Both companies must now include disclaimers in all promotional and marketing materials to clarify that their businesses are unrelated, despite sharing the same surname.
Origins of the Dispute
The Lodha brothers’ conflict traces back to their professional separation in 2015. Until then, both worked at Lodha Developers, a company their father, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, founded in the 1980s. The company grew to become one of India’s leading real estate firms.
Following the split, a family settlement agreement was formalised in March 2017. Under this agreement, Abhishek Lodha retained control over Macrotech Developers, the main real estate business, while Abhinandan Lodha was to pursue separate ventures not related to real estate. The settlement included specific provisions related to intellectual property, with trademarks associated with real estate to remain with Macrotech. It also contained a non-compete clause, restricting Abhinandan from operating in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and parts of Greater London for set durations.
Despite the agreement, tensions persisted. By December 2023, the brothers signed a supplementary agreement to reinforce the restrictions and further clarify that Abhinandan could not use the ‘Lodha’ name, especially in real estate-related contexts. This included the use of the brand ‘Lodha Ventures’, which Abhinandan’s businesses had adopted.
Escalation and Legal Proceedings
In September 2024, Macrotech Developers formally issued a notice demanding that Abhinandan’s companies cease using the ‘Lodha’ name and issue public disclaimers stating that they had no connection to Macrotech. In response, Abhinandan’s firm acknowledged the use of ‘Lodha Ventures’ on 25 October 2024, but, according to court filings, allegedly failed to deactivate certain domain names deemed to infringe upon Macrotech’s trademarks.
The situation escalated when Macrotech Developers filed a ₹5,000 crore lawsuit on 22 January 2025 in the Bombay High Court. The petition sought a permanent injunction against the use of the ‘Lodha’ name, damages for trademark infringement and passing off, and disclosure of business operations and finances related to the disputed branding.
On 31 January 2025, Justice Arif Doctor of the Bombay High Court directed the matter to mediation. Justice R.V. The court appointed Raveendran, a former Supreme Court judge, to oversee the resolution process.
Industry Reaction
A senior Mumbai-based real estate executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity, welcomed the resolution. They stated, “It takes years to build trust with homebuyers and establish a brand. The dispute could have damaged both reputations. It’s good to see that better sense prevailed, and both businesses can now operate independently.”
The Lodha Group remains one of India’s top ten real estate firms, with a substantial presence in Mumbai and London. The House of Abhinandan Lodha has established itself in the digital real estate segment with a focus on land investments.
No Further Clarification
“Spokespersons from both companies declined to explain how ‘Lodha Ventures’ will operate under the terms of the settlement, stating, ‘No further statements will be made on the matter.'”
The brothers, along with their respective companies, credited their parents for facilitating the resolution. “In a significant development, the Lodha brothers — elder brother, Abhishek Lodha and younger brother, Abhinandan Lodha — and the companies led by them, have amicably resolved all outstanding disputes under the guidance of their parents,” their joint statement read.
With the mediation report expected shortly, legal closure to the dispute appears imminent. Once the Bombay High Court accepts the report, it will officially mark the end of one of the most closely watched family business conflicts in India’s real estate sector.
Businesses facing similar trademark disputes or in need of trademark registration assistance can approach Vakilsearch. We help with brand protection and resolution through proper legal channels.
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