In a significant win for brand protection in India’s booming FMCG and e-commerce sectors, the Delhi High Court has ordered leading online marketplaces, including Amazon and Flipkart, to delist products infringing upon the ‘Reliance’ and ‘Jio’ trademarks, reported Bar and Bench.

Justice Saurabh Banerjee, in an interim order passed on July 10, restrained a number of alleged infringers from manufacturing, selling, or promoting consumer goods falsely branded with the trademarks of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL). The Court held that the unauthorised use of Reliance’s brand identity amounted to misrepresentation and could mislead consumers into believing the products were officially manufactured or endorsed by RIL.

The injunction was issued in response to a suit filed by Reliance Industries, which flagged multiple instances of trademark misuse by sellers on digital platforms. The company, whose fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) business spans fresh produce, dairy, and groceries, argued that the misuse of its well-known brand names posed a risk to its reputation and consumer trust.

The Court sided with RIL, emphasising that in the context of online retail, where logos and brand names are primary cues for consumers, the likelihood of confusion was high. “In such circumstances, this Court has to adopt a more cautious and stringent approach… to exercise greater care,” the order stated, highlighting the potential implications for consumer safety and trust.

Justice Banerjee also noted that the unauthorised use of the Reliance and Jio trademarks and artistic assets conveyed a false impression of authenticity and origin, one that directly impacted both consumers and the brand’s equity.

RIL was represented by Ankit Sahni and Kritika Sahni (Partners), Chirag Ahluwalia (Senior Associate), and Mohit Maru (Associate) of Ajay Sahni & Associates. Various defendants were represented by a roster of legal counsel, including Naman Joshi, Priya Goyal, and Aakash Deep Singh for Indiamart; Akshay Maloo and Rashabh Rao for one party; and Vivek Ayyagari, Mishthi Dubey, and Abhay Aren for another.