The Delhi High Court is once again in the spotlight with another big trademark dispute, this time involving one of India’s most well-known brands, ITC Limited. The company recently filed a case against a restaurant that was using the name “Bukhara”, a name famously associated with ITC’s iconic restaurant at the ITC Maurya Hotel. Delhi High Court bans Bukhara name has now issued an important order in this matter. But if we look at this case through an IP lens, it highlights something much deeper — the real value and power of a well-known trademark for established businesses. This case is a great reminder of why companies must protect their brand identity and invest in building strong trademarks. Keep reading to understand what happened in this case, and learn more about other latest IP news from India and worldwide.
Why Did ITC File a Trademark Infringement Case Over the ‘Bukhara’ Name?
To really understand this case, it helps to know how it all started — and that means going back to the story behind ITC’s iconic “Bukhara” brand. For a bit of context, ITC Limited is one of India’s biggest conglomerates, with interests in FMCG, hotels, paperboards, packaging, agri-business, and IT. Delhi High Court bans Bukhara name Among its many ventures, one of its proudest creations is the Bukhara restaurant, launched at the ITC Maurya Hotel in New Delhi back in the late 1970s. Its rustic charm and signature flavors made it one of the most recognized restaurants in India. To protect its growing fame, ITC registered the ‘Bukhara’ trademark in 1985, and later, the Delhi High Court even declared it a “well-known trademark,” which means it enjoys strong legal protection across industries.
The case really took off when ITC noticed something odd — a Delhi-based hotel was operating under the same name, “Bukhara,” and using it for its own business. This didn’t sit right with ITC, considering how much effort and reputation the brand had built over decades. The company felt its trademark was being violated and that the hotel was trying to cash in on Bukhara’s brand value to attract customers. Feeling that this was a clear case of trademark infringement, ITC decided to take legal action and filed a case in the Delhi High Court, accusing the hotel of using its name unfairly to make a profit off the restaurant’s fame.
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What Was the Delhi High Court’s Decision in the ITC ‘Bukhara’ Trademark Case?
The Delhi High Court recently gave its decision in the case and came down in favor of ITC, recognizing that the company has built a strong and well-known brand around the name “Bukhara.” After reviewing all the facts, the court decided to grant interim relief to ITC and restrained the Delhi-based hotel from using the Delhi High Court bans Bukhara name or anything that sounds or looks similar. There were several reasons behind this move, such as:
- The court noted that ITC’s restaurant has been using the name for decades and that “Bukhara” had already been declared a well-known trademark in earlier judgments.
- Because of that, letting another hotel use the same name could easily confuse customers and allow them to benefit unfairly from ITC’s reputation.
- The court also pointed out that the balance of convenience was clearly in ITC’s favor — meaning the company’s long-standing image needed protection — and allowing the hotel to continue using the name could have caused serious damage to ITC’s brand value.
But it’s worth keeping in mind that the case isn’t over just yet — the court’s order is temporary for now. Still, this is a big win for ITC, as it has successfully managed to protect its iconic ‘Bukhara’ name and stop others from using it until the final verdict is out.
Conclusion
This case is a strong reminder of how important it is for brands to protect their trademarks and safeguard their identity.Delhi High Court bans Bukhara name ITC’s win shows that even iconic names like Bukhara need constant legal vigilance to maintain their legacy. While the final decision is still pending, the Delhi High Court’s order sends a clear message — brand reputation matters, and the law is ready to step in when it’s at risk.
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