Once again, a high-stakes trademark infringement case has reached the Delhi High Court. This time, the dispute is over the word “Kawach”, a term already trademarked by Ambuja Cements, one of India’s biggest cement makers and now part of the Adani group. The rival in this Ambuja vs JSW Kawach trademark case is none other than JSW Cement, another heavyweight in the industry. Ambuja alleges that JSW has infringed on its trademark by using a similar brand name for its own product. In the latest hearing, the Delhi High Court has delivered fresh directions in the case. If you want to know more about this trademark clash, the court’s observations, and the reasons behind its decision, just keep reading.
How did the ‘Kawach’ trademark battle between Ambuja and JSW Cement begin?
To understand the Ambuja vs JSW Kawach trademark dispute over the word “Kawach”, we first need to look at how it all began. Both Ambuja Cements and JSW Cement are established giants in India’s cement industry. The conflict started when JSW introduced a new product called “Jal Kavach”. In Hindi, “Jal” means water, and “Kavach” means shield, together describing a water-repellent cement. The problem, however, is that Ambuja had already built a strong identity around its own brand, “Ambuja Kawach”, launched in 2020, and had registered the trademark “Kawach” back in 2019.
This timeline is what makes the case so significant legally. JSW only attempted to register and did a patent filing for “Jal Kavach” in May 2025, years after Ambuja had secured its rights. Under Indian trademark law, a registered trademark is protected for 10 years, which means Ambuja holds exclusive rights over “Kawach” until 2029. From Ambuja’s perspective, JSW’s move not only infringes on its prior rights but also risks misleading customers who may associate “Jal Kavach” with Ambuja’s established product.
Following this conflict, Ambuja Cements moved the Delhi High Court on September 17, 2025, filing a trademark infringement suit against JSW Cement and its IP arm. And in the lawsuit, there are multiple things Ambuja Cement asked for, such as:
- to stop JSW from using the term “Jal Kavach” in any form,
- claimed compensation for the potential harm caused,
- Ambuja asserted that JSW was unfairly trying to ride on the reputation and market equity built by its established “Ambuja Kawach” brand.
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What did the Delhi High Court decide in the Ambuja vs JSW ‘Kawach’ case?
When the case of trademark infringement reached the Delhi High Court, the judges carefully considered Ambuja’s claims and JSW’s trademark application. Instead of letting the matter turn into a long and expensive legal battle, the court advised both companies to pursue mediation. The judges emphasized that disputes of this nature, especially between two of India’s biggest cement brands, should ideally be settled amicably. The court has directed both sides to try resolving the issue through mediation and has listed October 15, 2025, as the next date of hearing if no settlement is reached.
How Does the Ambuja vs JSW Kawach Trademark Dispute Look Under Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)?
- Ambuja registered “Kawach” in 2019, giving it rights until 2029 under the Intellectual Property Law (IPR).
- JSW’s “Jal Kavach,” launched in 2025, is argued to be confusingly similar, risking consumer misperception
- Ambuja claims JSW is unfairly riding on the goodwill and brand equity built around “Ambuja Kawach”.
- Ambuja’s lawsuit seeks an injunction, cancellation of JSW’s trademark application, and damages.
- The Delhi High Court directed both companies to mediate, showing how intellectual property rights (IPR) disputes often balance legal rights with commercial interests.
Conclusion
The battle over “Kawach” is more than a fight over a single word—it is a test of how India’s trademark law protects brand identity in a fiercely competitive market. For Ambuja Cements, the case is about safeguarding years of investment and consumer trust in its “Kawach” brand. For JSW Cement, it raises questions of market entry strategy and the limits of creative naming.
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