GEMS v. JAMES BOND: Delhi High Court Permanently Injuncts Manufacturer From Using Cadbury's Trademark, Awards Over ₹15 Lakhs Cost

The Delhi High Court has passed permanent and mandatory injunction against a manufacturer namely Neeraj Food Products for infringement of Cadbury's trademark 'GEMS' by using deceptively similar mark and packaging 'JAMES BOND' which was inspired by the character 'GEMS BOND', as used by Cadbury for promotion of their product.

Justice Pratibha M Singh also awarded actual cost of Rs.15,86,928 in favour of Cadbury, observing that it had spent a substantial amount of money towards litigation in a suit wherein interim injunction was operating since 2007, including court fee, counsels' fees and miscellaneous expenses. Rs. 10 lakhs were awarded in damages.

The suit was filed by Mondelez India Foods Private Limited (formerly Cadbury India Ltd.) and Cadbury Schweppes Overseas Limited claiming ownership in the mark 'CADBURY GEMS' or 'GEMS'.

It was their case that the use of the impugned mark 'JAMES BOND' or 'JAMEY BOND' and the product packaging bearing the said mark by defendant infringed its registered trademark, its copyright registrations featuring the character 'GEMS BOND' and also constituted passing off.

The Court observed that the impugned packaging of the Defendant's product sold under the mark 'JAMES BOND' or 'JAMEY BOND' had clearly infringed the Plaintiffs' rights in the mark 'CADBURY GEMS', as also, the copyright in respect of the products sold under the said mark.

It observed that Cadbury's GEMS product is one of the most popular and well-recognized chocolate products in India and that almost everyone's childhood is associated with the consumption of the said product.

"The Defendant's packaging uses the mark 'JAMES BOND'/ 'JAMEY BOND' with the same blue/purple base and colourful button chocolates. The mark 'GEMS' is depicted in a brown background in the Plaintiff's product, so also, in the Defendant's products. The entire colour scheme of the Defendant's product is identical to that of the Plaintiffs' label and packaging. The marks are also confusingly and deceptively similar," it added.

The Court was also of the view that the Defendant had conceptualized the impugned product 'JAMES BOND' by being inspired by the character namely 'GEMS BOND', as used by Cadbury for promotion of their 'GEMS' branded products.

"The 'GEMS' product is also usually consumed by small children, both in urban and rural areas. The test in such a matter is not that of absolute confusion. Even likelihood of confusion is sufficient. A comparison of the Defendant's infringing product and the packaging thereof leaves no manner of doubt that the same is a complete knock-off, of the Plaintiffs' 'CADBURY GEMS'. The significant fact is that these products are sold not only in bigger packs, but also in smaller pillow packs, due to which the mark may not even be fully visible," the Court said.

It added "Moreover, chocolates are sold not merely in big retail stores or outlets, but also, in road side shacks, paan shops, patri vendors, kirana stores and stalls outside schools, etc. Thus, there is an immense likelihood of confusion, particularly considering the class of consumers that the product is targeted at, that is, children."

The Court thus decreed the suit by ordering the Defendant to pay the costs and damages to Cadbury within three months, failing which it shall be permitted to seek execution of the decree or avail of its remedies, in accordance with law.

Case Title: MONDELEZ INDIA FOODS PVT. LTD. AND ANR. v. NEERAJ FOOD PRODUCTS

Citation: Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Del) 715

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