Indian Law Firm "Singh & Singh" Wins Injunction Against South African Namesake in Trademark Dispute.
29 May 2024
Intellectual Property Rights >> Intellectual Property Rights
Delhi High Court has granted an ex-parte ad-interim injunction in favor of the renowned Indian law firm Singh & Singh Law Firm LLP (SS L LLP) in their lawsuit against a South African law firm. The case pertains to alleged trademark infringement and passing off.
SS L LLP, established in 1997, claims to hold registered trademarks for "Singh & Singh" and "Singh & Singh Advocates." They argue that the South African firm, Singh and Singh Attorneys (SS Attorneys), is using an identical mark and has a website accessible in India. This, they allege, misleads clients into believing an association exists between the two firms.
The court order acknowledges SS L LLP's extensive presence in India and abroad, particularly highlighting their strong reputation in intellectual property law. They also accepted the argument that in today's digital age, legal services can be offered globally, and a firm's reputation transcends geographical boundaries.
Finding a prima facie case of infringement, the court has ordered SS Attorneys to cease using variations of "Singh & Singh" in India to avoid trademark infringement. Additionally, the Indian government's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Department of Telecommunications have been directed to block access to SS Attorneys' website within India.