HSIL Ltd v. Oracle Ceramic & Ors.

Delhi High Court · 08 Jul 2016 · 2016:DHC:8576-DB
Pradeep Nandrajog; Pratiha Rani
FAO(OS) (COMM) 35/2016
2016:DHC:8576-DB
civil appeal_allowed Significant

AI Summary

Delhi High Court held it has territorial jurisdiction over trademark infringement suits despite alleged offending activity occurring elsewhere, setting aside the order returning plaints and continuing interim injunctions.

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FAO(OS) (COMM) 35/2016
, HSIL LTD ..... Appellant Represented by: Mr.Manav Gupta, Advocate' with Ms.PrabhsahayKaur, Mr.Animash Kr.Sharma, Advocates
VERSUS
ORACLE CERAMIC & ORS ..... Respondents Represented by: MrJagjit Singh Chhabra, <", Advocate with Mr.Saksham
Maheshwari, Advocate
FAO(OS) (COMM) 36/2016
"(1 r (1 HSILLTD ' ..... Appellant G Represented by: Mr.ManavGupta, Advocate with Ms.Prabhsahay Kaur, Mr.Animash Kr.Sharma, Advocates
VERSUS
VISHWAS CERAMIC & ANR ..... Respondents ..... Advocate with Mr.Saksham
FAO(OS) (COMM) 38/2016
.~' HSIL LTD ..... Appellant Represented by: Mr.Manav Gupta, Advocate with Ms.Prabhsahay Kaur, Mr.Anin;tash Kr.Shamia, Advocates
VERSUS
SIMANDHAR CERAMIC & ANR , ..... Respondents FAO(OS) (COMM) Nos 3512016,3612016,3812016 Pagelof3
): ' $-1 to 3 HIGH COURT OF DELHI 2016:DHC:8576-DB
Advocate with Mr.Saksham
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRADEEP NANDRAJOG .
HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE PRATII~HA RANI ;
0/0 08.07.2016
ORDER

1. Respondents have been served.

2. Learned counsel as. above appears for the respondents. Vakalatnamas. have been received in Court.

3. With respect to the impugned order dated May 11', 2016, having heard learned counsel for the parties we find that the law culled out by the learned J, C' Single Judge with respect to the decision of the Supreme Court reported as. L.. <; AIR 2015 SC 3479 Indian Performing Rights Society Ltd. vs. Sanjay Dalia &Anr. 4.' As per said decision if plaintiff has no presence in the territory where 'the offending activity is carried on,. remedy of territorial jurisdiction with reference of Section 134 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 can be availed of. Though there is no positive view of a negative fact in the plaint, but there is no admission' that the plaintiff i.e. the appellant has presence in Rajkot (Gujarat), where the alleged offending activity is being carried on. ~5. Accordingly, we set aside the impugned order dated May 11, 2016. We declare that the three suits, the plaints where of have been directed to be returned, shall continue in Delhi for the reason as pleaded in the plaint, there would be territorial jurisdiction in this Court. Of course, ifthe defendants plead and can prima-facie show that the plaintiff has presence iIi Rajkot, of the kind contemplated by law, plea of lack of territorial jurisdiction can be raised. FAO(OS) leOMM) Nos 3512016,3612016,3812016 Page2of[3]

6. We transpose the interim injunction granted in appeal in the three suits. It would be open for the defendants to file written statements and r~ply to the applications filed under Order 39 Rule 1 and 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure by the plaintiff. Needless to state in said eventuality learned Single Judge shall take the decision as per law.

7. With respect tothe local commissions which have been executed, two reports have been filed. The third maybe filed with the Registry. 8.. As per the three reports infringing goods have been seized and ~, custody entrusted to a representative of the defendant on superdari. The order appointing a local commissioner is also transposed in the suit. Parties may file appropriate applications in the suits concerning the seized infringing goods. -7 9. Appeals are disposed of. l./

10. CS(Comm) 33912016, CS(Comm) 340/2016 and CS(Comm) 341/2016 shall now be listed for directions before the learned Joint Registrar on August 12,2016.

11. At this stage learned counsel for the parties state that the subject matter of the suit may be referred to mediation. Accordingly, we refer the ~ three suits to the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre.. '

12. Notwithstanding dispute being referred to mediation written. submissions by the defendants in the three suits may be filed within four a'; weeks.

13. No costs. JULY 08, 2016 FAO(OS) (COMM) Nos 3512016,3612016,3812016 Page 3 of[3]