Another trademark infringement case has reached the doors of the Delhi High Court, this time involving two of the city’s favorite fast-food items — momos and burgers. What began as a dispute between WOW Momo vs WOW Burger trademark case over the use of the word “WOW” has now turned into a significant legal battle in the food industry. Recently, the Delhi High Court delivered a landmark judgment in this ongoing case, supporting with WOW! Momo mentions key questions about brand identity and trademark protection. Keep reading to learn everything about this trademark fight.
What is the Background of the WOW Momo vs WOW Burger Trademark case?
To understand why the Delhi High Court ruled in favor of WOW! Momo, it’s important to look at the background of the case. WOW! Momo is a popular Indian food chain known for its delicious momos and other fast-food items. Over the years, the company has built a strong brand identity around its signature naming pattern that uses the term “WOW!” — a word that customers have come to closely associate with the business.
The dispute began in December 2024, when WOW! Momo noticed something unusual: another company had started using a similar name — WOW Burger — for its burger outlets. The company believed this was a deliberate attempt to copy its brand identity and could mislead customers into thinking that WOW Burger was connected to WOW! Momo. In response, WOW! Momo filed a trademark infringement case in the Delhi High Court, arguing that the use of the word “WOW” within the same food industry was deceptive and violated its brand rights.
There are several things which was mentioned in the lawsuit, such as:
- WOW! Momo asked the Delhi High Court to stop WOW Burger from using the name “WOW Burger” or any similar term that could confuse customers.
- The company sought legal protection for its unique naming style, the WOW! And other food name formats (for example, WOW! Momo, WOW! China).
- It demanded compensation for the loss of reputation and goodwill caused by the use of a similar name.
- The company requested that WOW Burger disclose its earnings and profits made under the disputed name.
- WOW! Momo also asked for recovery of legal costs and attorney fees incurred during the case.
Read Also: OpenAI Faces Trademark Lawsuit from Cameo Over Sora App’s “Cameo” AI Video Feature
What Was the Delhi High Court’s Decision in the WOW! Momo vs WOW Burger Case?
In the WOW Momo vs WOW Burger trademark case, the Delhi High Court ruled in favor of WOW! Momo has been given the company’s temporary protection in its trademark dispute against WOW Burger. The court realized that WOW! Momo had developed a unique brand identity through its consistent use of the WOW!, which consumers easily associate with the company. The judges noted that although the word “WOW” is a common expression, WOW! Momo’s long and individual use of the mark in the food industry had given it a secondary meaning and brand differentiation. The court also stated that the use of the name “WOW Burger” by another food outlet could mislead customers into assuming a connection between the two brands, leading to brand confusion and dilution. As a result, the Delhi High Court issued an interim injunction restraining WOW Burger from using the disputed name or any similar mark until the final outcome of the case. The court made it clear, however, that this order does not give WOW! Momo monopoly over the word “WOW” itself but protects its specific branding format and reputation within the food and drinks sector.
Conclusion
The Delhi High Court’s decision in the WOW! The WOW Momo vs WOW Burger trademark case highlights the growing importance of brand identity and trademark protection in India’s food industry. The ruling reinforces that even common words can gain legal distinctiveness when used consistently as part of a recognizable brand. This case serves as a reminder for new businesses to choose their names carefully and respect existing trademarks to avoid legal disputes in an increasingly competitive market.