The Delhi High Court has once again delivered a landmark judgment in the world of trademark law, bringing an end to a dispute that lasted nearly 25 years. Two of India’s biggest sweet-making giants, Cadbury and Mars vs Cadbury trademark dispute had been in a long-running legal battle over the use of a simple yet powerful word, Celebrations. This trademark, deeply tied to both brands’ identities, became the main attraction of one of India’s most notable intellectual property Rights (IPR) conflicts. Now, the court has officially approved a settlement between the two companies, closing this battle. This case is a powerful reminder of how even common words can hold strong brand value, making the way for major corporations to protect their market presence. Keep reading to learn about the reasons behind this case.
What Is the Story Behind the 25-Year Mars and Cadbury Trademark Dispute Over ‘Celebrations’?
Before understanding the outcome, it’s important to know how this case actually started and why it lasted so long. This 25-year-old Mars vs Cadbury trademark dispute began in the 1990s, when both Cadbury and Mars launched their own chocolate gift boxes in India, but both used the same name, “Celebrations.” In a country like India, where festivals and celebrations happen almost the whole year, the word Celebrations quickly became very popular. It connected strongly with the emotions of people and became an important part of both companies’ branding during festive seasons. However, this success led to a major problem — both companies wanted legal rights to the word “Celebrations.”
They both filed for trademark under the same product category (Class 30, which includes chocolates and confectionery). The real legal battle began when Cadbury India opposed Mars’s trademark application, claiming that Cadbury had used the name first and had a stronger identity in the Indian market. The main legal question throughout the case was simple but complicated to prove: can any company own a common word like Celebrations? The dispute showed how even a simple, everyday word can hold huge commercial and emotional value when tied to strong brands.
After many years of legal back-and-forth, both Mars and Cadbury finally decided to settle the dispute peacefully. They realized that continuing the fight had little benefit. This led to the Delhi High Court settlement in 2025.
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What Did the Delhi High Court Decide in the Mars and Cadbury ‘Celebrations’ Trademark Case?
After almost 25 years of legal proceedings, the Delhi High Court finally announced a settlement between Mars vs Cadbury Trademark dispute Incorporated and Cadbury (India) Ltd. in October 2025, bringing an end to one of India’s longest-running trademark disputes. Both companies filed a joint settlement petition on October 10, which was accepted by the court.
The presiding judge stated that the settlement was lawful, voluntary, and executed in good faith, noting that both parties had shown genuine intent to close the case and end all ongoing legal actions. The court also confirmed that both companies agreed not to pursue any future claims related to the use of the word Celebrations.
Key Points from the Delhi High Court’s Decision:
- End of the Dispute: Both Mars and Cadbury agreed to withdraw all opposition and rectification proceedings related to the Celebrations trademark that were pending before the Indian Trade Marks Registry.
- No Future Claims: The court order clearly stated that neither company would initiate or pursue any new legal action against the other regarding the trademark Celebrations.
- Goodwill Initiative: As part of the settlement, both companies agreed to donate ₹5 lakh worth of confectionery products each to the Delhi government and government-aided schools.
The Delhi High Court praised both companies for resolving such a long-standing dispute through mutual understanding, calling it an example of corporate maturity and goodwill. The court noted that settlements like this help reduce unnecessary litigation and promote healthy brand coexistence in the marketplace.
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Conclusion
In the end of Mars vs Cadbury trademark dispute, The Delhi High Court’s settlement between Mars and Cadbury marks the end of a 25-year trademark battle and highlights the power of cooperation over conflict. What began as a long legal dispute over a single word Celebrations, has ended as a reminder that even major global rivals can choose goodwill, maturity, and coexistence over competition.