IPAB orders removal of trademarks

The Hindu on 29th August reported that IPAB has ordered removal of two conflicting  trademarks from  TM register. Fight between two cosmetic giants, Chandrika and Calvin Care Private Limited has  resulted in removal of their potentially conflicting trademarks "Fair ever" and "Chandrika For ever". 

Wipro's Chandrika and Calvin care have been fighting over these trademarks for cosmetic and soap products. Wipro launched Chandrika forever in 2007 and obtained registration for the same in respect of all kinds of soaps, toiletry preparations, shampoos, hand wash and sanitisers. On the contrary Calvin care have been trading since 1998 under their well known trademark "Fairever" in relation to cosmetic products. 

In 2010, Calvin care filed a civil suit seeking permanent injunction to restrain Chandrika from using "Chandrika Forever". As a response to this Chandrika had approached the IPAB seeking removal of Calvin care's trademark "Fair ever".

IPAB now in its orders asks the Registrar to remove both the marks from the register as both marks tends to create confusion among the public and was wrongly entered in the register and hence deserves to be removed

Source:  The Hindu

Tirupati Temple to keep Laddu GI

Indian Express has reported yesterday that Tirupati Venketeshwara Temple has won the rectification petition filed against granting of GI status to their deity offering, "Tirupati  Laddu".

India's richest temple was granted GI tag for their unique deity offering in September 2009. Grant of GI was severely criticized on several grounds and specifically on giving monopoly status on a religious offering.  Registry's order was challenged by Mr Praveen Raj, an IP enthusiast and former Patent examiner at Patent and Design Office, Chennai . Praveen in his claims indicated that TTD'd claims violates Section 9 and 11 of GI Act.

Indian Express now reports that the on Monday, Mr Chinnaraja G Naidu, Assistant Registrar of Trademarks and GI, Chennai has uphold TTD's claim over GI and even fined Mr Praveen Raj.

Source