Intellectual Property

July 18, 2025
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Delhi High Court Reiterates Limits on Patentability of Software-Based Inventions

On July 1, 2025, in Kroll Information Assurance, LLC v. The Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks & Ors.1, the Delhi High Court upheld the refusal of a patent application under Section 3(k) of the Indian Patents Act, 1970, reaffirming that a mere sequence of instructions or abstract profiling logic is insufficient for patent […]

July 18, 2025
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MS Dhoni’s Quest to Trademark “Captain Cool”

In June 2023, legendary former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni took a significant step by filing a trademark application for his well-known nickname, “Captain Cool.” The application was submitted by Rithi Sports Management Pvt Ltd, a company associated with Dhoni, to the Trade Marks Registry. The mark was filed under Class 41, which covers […]

July 18, 2025
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Delhi High Court Stays Multimillion Dollar Decree against Amazon

Introduction On July 1, 2025, the Delhi High Court passed a significant order 1staying the execution of a ₹336 crore (approx. USD 38.8 million) decree awarded against Amazon Technologies Inc. in a trademark infringement suit initiated by Lifestyle Equities CV and Lifestyle Licensing BV—entities associated with the Beverly Hills Polo Club (BHPC) brand. This stay […]

June 20, 2025
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No Patent For Intermediates without Efficacy

Introduction On May 27, 2025, in Zeria Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. v. Deputy Controller of Patents and Designs1, the Delhi High Court upheld the refusal of divisional patent, affirming that minor structural modifications of known pharmaceutical compounds—especially intermediates—must still demonstrate enhanced therapeutic efficacy to be patentable under Section 3(d) of the Indian Patents Act, 1970. The […]

June 20, 2025
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Policy over Popularity: A New Lens on Well-Known Trade Marks in India

Introduction On June 10, 2025, in TikTok Limited v. Registrar of Trade Marks , the Bombay High Court made a significant ruling, backing the Registrar of Trade Marks’ decision to deny the registered mark “TikTok” the status of a “well-known mark” under Indian Trademark Act. The court’s decision to uphold this refusal is particularly noteworthy […]

June 9, 2025
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When Coverage Isn’t Disclosure: DelhiHC’s Denies Interim Injunction forRisdiplam

Introduction On March 25, 2025, the Delhi High Court denied the request of F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG for an interim injunction against Natco Pharma in a high-stakes pharmaceutical patent dispute in F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ag & Anr. vs Natco Pharma Limited [1]1. At issue was Roche’s species patent on “Risdiplam,” a life-saving drug for Spinal […]

May 28, 2025
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India’s Biosimilar Pathway Gets an Update in the Draft 2025 Guidelines

Introduction India’s regulatory landscape for biologic and biosimilar medicines continues to evolve. In response to scientific advances and accumulated regulatory experience, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) have jointly released the Draft Guidelines on Similar Biologics – Regulatory Requirements for Marketing Authorization in India, 2025. These proposed guidelines […]

May 23, 2025
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A Power of Attorney Dispute that Went Too Far

In a significant judgment dated April 22, 2025, the Calcutta High Court (Original Side, Intellectual Property Rights Division) allowed Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. v. Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks [1]1, emphatically setting aside a 40-page rejection order passed by the Controller of Patents. The Court held that the application had been rejected not […]

May 12, 2025
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Trademark Lanscape 2023-24: Progress, Challenges and the Road Ahead

Trademarks in India are governed by the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and administered through the Trade Marks Registry under the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM). Each year, the CGPDTM publishes a comprehensive Annual Report, offering key insights into the operational health of the trademark system. The 2023–24 Annual […]

May 12, 2025
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Trade Secret Protection in India: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction Trade secrets are crucial to modern business strategy, particularly in sectors driven by innovation, technology, or unique practices. Unlike patents, which require formal registration and public disclosure, trade secrets are protected through confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). In India, the growing importance of trade secret protection is driven by intensifying local and global competition. […]