Delhi High Court Halts Trademark Registration of 'Jack Daniel's' Mark in Favour of Indian Firm Mangalam Krupa

The Delhi High Court has stayed the trademark "Jack Daniel's" registration in favour of Mangalam Krupa, an Indian company dealing in pharmaceutical and veterinary products, following allegations of trademark infringement by the iconic U.S.-based alcohol manufacturer.

Justice Amit Bansal issued the order after Jack Daniel's, renowned globally for its high-end whiskey, argued that Mangalam Krupa's trademark registration violated provisions of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, and threatened its brand integrity.

"The registration issued to Respondent No. 1 [Mangalam Krupa] violates Sections 9(2)(a) and 11 of the Trade Mark Act, 1999," the Court noted in its December 4 judgment. "If the operation of the contested mark is not halted, the petitioner will suffer irreparable loss."

Case Background

Mangalam Krupa had secured registration of the "Jack Daniel's" trademark in 2023 under Class 05, covering pharmaceutical and veterinary goods, on a "proposed to be used" basis. Jack Daniel's contested this, asserting its long-standing ownership of the trademark, which has been used since 1895 and is associated with its premium alcoholic beverages distributed across 170 countries, including India.

Jack Daniel claimed that Mangalam Krupa’s adoption of a trademark identical or deceptively similar to its own would dilute its uniqueness and goodwill. The company further argued that linking "Jack Daniel's" to pharmaceutical products could mislead consumers and harm its brand's reputation.

Court's Observations

Justice Bansal found merit in Jack Daniel's claims, observing that Mangalam Krupa's registration prima facie breached trademark laws. The Court ruled that the balance of convenience favoured the petitioner, and any further operation of the contested mark could lead to irreversible damage to Jack Daniel's reputation and financial interests.

Next Steps

The Court ordered that the registration of the trademark in favour of Mangalam Krupa remain stayed until further notice. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on March 26, 2025.

Jack Daniel's has also sought to remove Mangalam Krupa's trademark from the registry to protect its rights and prevent potential misuse.

This case underscores the growing importance of safeguarding global trademarks in an increasingly interconnected world, where brand identity remains a critical asset for businesses across industries.