Goonj – India Law Blog & Insights on Society and Spirituality

Maggi Trademark Case : How Nestlé Defended Its Iconic Brand from Cookers to Noodles The trademark infringement suit Maggi vs Maggisun before the Delhi High Court was initiated in 2018 over intellectual property rights. The dispute arose from Nestlé’s claim that the Indian utensil manufacturer’s use of the brand name “ Maggisun” for products like pressure cookers was deceptively similar to “Maggi” trademark. Nestlé argued that this similarity was designed to exploit their reputation and the consumer goodwill associated with their iconic food brand, leading to a high likelihood of consumer confusion and dilution of their brand equity. This particular case stands as a prominent example of a multinational conglomerate guarding its brand equity in the Indian market. The seven year long legal battle was a critical test of the principle of protecting a well-known trademark against unauthorized use across non competing goods. Maggi is an established brand of Nestlé and has been ...

The Curious Case of the Equestrian Athlete: Horse or Equipment? 🌐 Introduction When you think of an athlete, images of runners, gymnasts, or basketball players likely come to mind. But what about a horse? Is a horse an athlete or simply a piece of equipment used by its human rider? This debate has sparked significant discussion within India’s equestrian sports community and remains sub-judice in the Delhi High Court . 📜 Background The issue arises from a dispute between the Rajasthan Equestrian Association (REA) and the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) regarding voting rights for states and classification of horses in competitions. REA Argument: Horses are “just horses” and their costs are often grouped with boats/yachts in the National Sports Code , so they should be treated as equipment. EFI Argument: Equestrian sports are unique, involving two athletes – the human rider and the horse – and require specialized rules, infrastructure, and management. Internation...