'R. Logo': Bombay High Court Denies Interim Relief To Republic TV In Trademark Infringement Suit Against Rayudu Media

The Bombay High Court has refused interim relief to ARG Outlier Media Private Limited – owner of Republic TV - in a trademark infringement suit against Telangana based Rayudu media over its logo.

Justice Manish Pitale dismissed the interim application filed by ARG against using the logo.

In the suit filed in March, ARG sought a perpetual injunction against Rayudu Vision Media Ltd from using the trade mark ‘RTV News Network’ logo 'R.', and sought Rs. 100 crore in damages.

ARG claimed that it was incorporated in 2016 and was running three different channels in three languages namely, Republic TV, Republic Bharat and Republic Bangla.

The plea stated that the company had illegally adopted an identical or deceptively similar trademark as used and registered by the plaintiff and was encashing on the “immense goodwill” of the plaintiff.

However, Rayudu claimed that it is one of the leading news networks in the Telugu States with great digital presence and is known for reliable, unbiased news updates in Telugu. It has been running ‘R TV’ with the permission of the I&B Ministry since 2007, it was claimed.

Senior Counsel Nikhil Sakhardande appeared for ARG while Senior Counsel Sharan Jagtiani along with Advocate Hiren Kamod appeared for Rayudu.

While the order was only pronounced in open court, a detailed copy of the order will be made available soon.

Case title - ARG Outlier Media Private Limited vs Rayadu Vision Media Limited

Case No. - COMMERCIAL IP SUIT (LODGING) NO. 6543 OF 2023

Click here To Read/Download Order