Another trademark dispute is making headlines in India, this time in the Gujarat High Court, involving just two small words: “Safed Parindey.” This case is related to the Safed Parindey Trademark Battle. The case centers around two major event management companies in Gujarat that organize Navratri celebrations—The Sheri Affair and Safed Parindey Event Management Company. The Sheri Affair filed a case alleging that Safed Parindey Event Management was illegally using the “Safed Parindey”, but the Gujarat HC denied their appeal. This case serves as an important lesson for small businesses on intellectual property rights (IPR), showing that if you have a unique name or brand identifying your business, it’s crucial to register it as a trademark to prevent others from using it and profiting unfairly. To understand this better, keep reading.
What is the Safed Parindey trademark dispute in Ahmedabad?
To understand this dispute, it’s important to start with the background. The Sheri Affair, an event management company in Ahmedabad, has been organizing Navratri Garba nights since 2022, often featuring all-white dress codes and unique branding. For a long time, they have used the phrase “Safed Parindey” in connection with their events, but they never applied for trademark registration. On the other hand, Safed Parindey Event Management Company, another prominent local organizer, secured the trademark for the name “Safed Parindey” before The Sheri Affair’s 2024 Garba event. Feeling aggrieved by this, the Sheri Affair filed a civil suit in the City Civil Commercial Court against Safed Parindey Event Management Company and its organizers, Namrata Patwa and Akash Patwa, challenging their use of the registered mark.
Why Did the Court Dismiss The Sheri Affair’s Trademark Claim?
The case was taken up by the City Civil Commercial Court in Gujarat. In Gujarat HC, the Sheri Affair said they are the ones who started the use of the word, and because of its prior and continuous use of “Safed Parindey” had already built significant goodwill and public recognition. They claimed that allowing another organizer to hold the registered rights would unfairly strip them of the reputation they had nurtured. In response, Safed Parindey Event Management Company highlighted that it had legally registered the trademark, which gave it the power to use the name. Their defense was grounded in the principle that formal trademark registration prevails over unregistered use, unless the latter is strongly supported with clear evidence of distinctiveness and prior recognition.
After hearing both parties, the court ruled against The Sheri Affair. The court provided multiple reasons for its judgment, such as:
- The Sheri Affair had not registered “Safed Parindey” as a trademark, despite using it earlier.
- Goodwill and informal usage alone cannot replace the legal strength of a registered trademark.
- The company failed to provide clear evidence of distinctiveness or prior recognition strong enough to outweigh the registered rights.
- Safed Parindey Event Management Company had legally secured the trademark, giving it rights.
- On these grounds, the court dismissed The Sheri Affair’s application and reaffirmed the importance of timely trademark registration.
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What are the IPR Lessons from the Sheri Affair vs Safed Parindey trademark battle?
Looking at this case from an IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) angle, it clearly shows that registering a trademark is far more powerful than just using a name. The Sheri Affair may have created goodwill around the term “Safed Parindey” through its popular events, but without formal registration, its claim was weak. On the other hand, Safed Parindey Event Management Company had officially registered the name, which gave them exclusive legal rights to use it. The case is a reminder that businesses should not only focus on building a brand but also protect it legally at the right time to avoid disputes later.
Conclusion
The Safed Parindey Trademark Battle makes one thing clear—goodwill and long-term use are not enough without legal protection. By failing to register its brand, The Sheri Affair lost the chance to secure its rights, while Safed Parindey Event Management stood stronger with a registered trademark. The case is a reminder that businesses must protect their identity through timely trademark registration to avoid conflicts and safeguard their brand’s future.