Isolated similarity does not attract trademark infringement: Pernod Ricard India Private Limited vs Karanveer Singh Chhabra

The Apex Court has held in a recent judgement dated 14 August 2025 that isolated similarity does not attract trademark infringement. In Pernod Ricard India Private Limited vs Karanveer Singh Chhabra, a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan dismissed the appeal and did not interfere with the findings of the Commercial Court and the High Court. The request for an interim injunction order was rejected because the appellants failed to establish grounds for deceptive similarity leading to trademark violation.

The plaintiffs are Pernod Ricard India Pvt. Ltd., manufacturers of well-known whisky brands โ€˜BLENDERS PRIDEโ€™, since 1995 and โ€˜IMPERIAL BLUEโ€™ since 1997, the turnover of both amounting to โ‚น4,400 Cr. Both marks are registered. The defendant was London Pride Distillers Ltd., selling whisky under the mark โ€˜LONDON PRIDEโ€™. There were allegations of trademark infringement and passing off due to deceptive similarity. 

The bench referred to the Anti-Dissection Rule from a prior decision in Kaviraj Pandit Durga Dutt Sharma v. Navratna Pharmaceuticals Laboratories wherein it was expressly cautioned against isolating individual parts of a composite mark, as such an approach disregards how consumers actually experience and recall trademarks. The Dominant Feature Test is not exclusive either, and it is based on the element which is most distinctive, memorable, and likely to influence consumer perception. 

Common words like โ€œPRIDEโ€ cannot be benchmarked unless secondary meaning is proven. The similarity in these meanings cannot be isolated, which includes trade dress protection too. The bench found that โ€œBLENDERS PRIDEโ€ and โ€œLONDON PRIDEโ€ are distinct and the word โ€œPRIDEโ€ does not have distinctiveness. Claims cannot be made on bottle shape or colour scheme since they are not independently enforceable. Also, since the products in questions prepare premium and ultra-premium whiskeys targeted at a discerning customer base, the consumers are likely to exercise greater care when making purchases. The shared use of the laudatory word โ€˜PRIDEโ€™, in isolation, cannot form the basis for injunctive relief.

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Affordable Housing in India: Challenges, Opportunities, and Legal Perspectives

 National Law University, Delhi (NLUD)

Overview

National Law University, Delhi (NLUD), located in Dwarka, Delhi, is one of Indiaโ€™s premier law institutions. It operates on the five-year integrated law degree model, as recommended by the Bar Council of India. Known for its rigorous academic environment, NLUD is ranked second in the National Institutional Ranking Framework and is highly regarded for its contributions to legal education and research.

Centre for Law & Urban Development

The Centre for Law & Urban Development at NLUD serves as a hub for exploring the intersections of law, property, housing, and urban development. Its mission is to enhance understanding and education on related laws through various projects, including: SDG Series Focused on Sustainable Development Goals.Research Projects and Publications Conducting in-depth studies and disseminating knowledge on urban legal issues.Public Awareness Initiatives Engaging the public through webinars and outreach programs.

Objective

The upcoming seminar aims to tackle the legal and policy challenges in implementing affordable housing in India. It will start by discussing the jurisprudence of โ€˜property,โ€™ followed by a historical overview of property rights in India. The seminar will address key challenges in the real estate sector, such as: Land sufficiency, subsidized housing, middle-class budgeting compliance issues impacting housing initiatives

Eligibility

Submissions are welcome from a diverse group, including:

Academics and scholars

Researchers

Legal professionals

Students

International delegates

Themes for Papers

Participants are encouraged to explore various topics related to affordable housing, including but not limited to:

  • Digitization of Land Records and its Effect on the Real Estate Industry
  • Real Estate Industry: A Heaven for Tax Evasion
  • Real Estate Sector under Goods and Services Tax (GST)
  • Home Loan Industry and Affordable Housing
  • Pradhanmantri Shahri Evam Gramin Awas Yozna
  • Affordable Housing Fund in National Housing Bank
  • Case Study on Affordable Housing Schemes
  • Land Pooling Policies: Case Study on Issues and Challenges
  • Impact of Extension of Tax Holiday on Affordable Housing
  • Impact of Climate Change on Real Estate Development
  • Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in India
  • Trends in Leasing out Commercial Spaces
  • Foreign Direct Investment in Real Estate Sector
  • Technological Innovations in Real Estate Marketing
  • Regulatory Challenges in Affordable Housing Schemes
  • Cost of Labor and Construction in Real Estate financing
  • Challenges in Real Estate Appraisal and Valuation
  • Impact of Infrastructure Development on Real Estate Markets
  • Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Real Estate Development
  • Impact of Demographic Changes on Housing Demand
  • Current trends Dispute Resolution Mechanism in Real Estate Sector
  • Legal Framework for Land Acquisition in India
  • The Success Rates of Community-Led Housing Projects
  • Impact of Real Estate Market Cycles on Investment Strategies
  • Impact of Housing Policies on Urban Sprawl
  • Slum Re-Development Project โ€“ Comparative Analysis
  • Impact of Urban Land Ceiling on Affordable Housing.

Submission Guidelines

  Paper Requirements

– Length: 3000-4000 words

– Format: Typed in Times New Roman, Font Size 12, with 1.5 line spacing

– Citations: Follow Bluebook citation style

– Include author details (name, email, contact number, institution) at the top

Co-authorship

A maximum of two authors is allowed.

Registration Fees

Fees Structure

Professional/Academician: Rs. 2500 (main author), Rs. 1500 (co-author), Rs. 1000 (participant)

Researcher/Student:  Rs. 1500 (main author), Rs. 1000 (co-author), Rs. 500 (participant)

International Delegate: $50 (participant)

 Important Dates

Abstract Submission: November 21, 2024

Notification of Approved Abstracts: December 10, 2024

Submission of Complete Papers: December 31, 2024

Notification of Approved Papers: January 15, 2025

Seminar Presentation Dates: February 21-23, 2025

Submission Procedure

Papers must be submitted to the organizers via email at  submissions.clud@nludelhi.ac.in

Late submissions will not be accepted.

Contact Information

For any queries, participants can reach out to the student convenors:

Aman Saini: +91 9911825252

Parth Gupta: +91 727649237

Kartikeya Jaiswal: +91 9307619221

This seminar represents a vital opportunity for stakeholders in the affordable housing sector to engage in meaningful discussions and contribute to impactful policy changes.

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