I was just going through the BSE this morning and found an interesting element to share with my readers. As reported by India infoline and Money Control, Tilaknagar Industries (TI) rose to 1.38% to Rs. 34.30 at 11:37 IST on the BSE after the Bombay High Court dismissed the petition filed by UTO Netherland B.V seeking restraint on brand names “ Madison – House” and “ Savoy Club”. Case details at Bombay High Court can be found here.

TI is a leading player in the IMFL industry (Indian Made Foreign Liquor). The company exports its brand to Western Africa, the middle –east and Caribbean countries. ( Tilaknagar industries website can be visited here ).

A common characteristic of many IMFLs, distinct from spirits elsewhere in the world, is that irrespective of the final product the starting ingredient is a neutral spirit distilled from molasses, a byproduct of the sugar industry. For example, whereas a whisky in most countries would be distilled from grain, Indian whisky are made from distilled molasses spirit, blended with imported grain or malt-based Scotch.

Suit was filed by UTO Netherland B. V, producer and distributor of wide range of spirits worldwide since 1977. Company filed trademark infringement case for its two famous brands “ Madison – House “ and “Savoy Club”.

Sales of Mansion House Brandy closed in on nearly 6 million cases in FY 10-11 and is expected to show a healthy growth in FY 11-12. Mansion House Brandy is the second largest selling brandy in the world as per the latest reports of Euro Monitor and remains one of the fastest growing brands in the world.

Chief Legal Officer- Dr. Keshab Nandy is pleased with the news and said said this judgement will boost comapny’s business model for far geographic reach. I have tried to get information about two trademarks from their official website. As readers can see below – both comapnies are operating in the market with same tradename.

Complete copy of judgement is still not availiable. I also conducted the trademark search on IPO website.

For Mansion House brand UTO Netherlands filed trademark in 1983 while TI filed its application only in 1985. TI finally got its trademark registered on application no 612192 with application dated 22/11/1993. complete document can be seen here.

For brand Savoy Club application no 414813 was registered in 1983 while TI got its trademark registered only in 1993.