Landmark Ruling: Delhi's Carnatic Cafe Wins Trademark Infringement Case Against Bengaluru Restaurant

The Delhi-based Carnatic Cafe has secured a significant legal victory as the court awarded Rs 50,000 in compensatory and deterrent damages to its owner.

A district court has issued a restraining order against a Bengaluru restaurant, prohibiting the establishment from using the name 'Carnatic' in its branding, ruling that it was deceptively similar to the registered trademark of Carnatic Cafe.

District Judge Neelam Singh presided over the trademark infringement lawsuit filed by Carnatic Cafe's owner against Lemonpepper Hospitality Pvt Ltd and its directors who operated the Bengaluru restaurant.

In the October 29 ruling, the court stated, "The plaintiff has successfully established infringement of its registered trademark 'Carnatic Cafe' as well as the acts of passing off and unfair trade practice carried out by the defendants." The court subsequently prohibited the company, its employees, and agents from manufacturing, selling, offering for sale, marketing, advertising, or providing any restaurant-related or allied services under the 'Carnatic' mark or any other mark, logo, device, or domain name that could be considered identical or deceptively similar to Carnatic Cafe.

The judgment further specified, "The Defendants are further restrained from using the domain name www.carnaticrestaurant.com or any other domain name incorporating the mark Carnatic."

In addition to the Rs 50,000 awarded as compensatory and deterrent damages, the court also ordered Lemonpepper Hospitality to pay Rs 10,000 to cover the case costs.