Delhi HC Directs Flipkart, Amazon To Delist Products Infringing RIL

SUMMARY

Reliance filed a legal suit alleging that several sellers were selling FMCG products using the company’s trademarks without authorisation

The Delhi HC restrained certain individuals involved in the case from manufacturing, selling, and advertising any product and service under “Reliance” and “Jio” trademarks

The court discovered that accused sellers were selling edible products like poha, wheat flour, makhana, and more under RIL’s trademark

The Delhi High Court (HC) has directed seven ecommerce platforms, including Amazon and Flipkart, to delist all products that infringe upon “Reliance” and “Jio” trademarks.

As per the court order, a single judge bench, comprising Justice Saurabh Banerjee, also restrained certain individuals involved in the case from manufacturing, selling, and advertising any product and service under “Reliance” and “Jio” trademarks.

The HC instructed the ecommerce platforms to disclose contact details of every seller or brand involved in the alleged unauthorised activity on ecommerce platforms.

“These products are sold through online ecommerce platforms where consumers rely on brand name and logos to identify the origin of goods. In such circumstances, any confusion between such products, if allowed to continue, could risk consumer safety,” the order read.

The HC has listed the matter for next hearing on November 13. The development was first reported by Bar and Bench.

In its petition, Reliance alleged that several sellers were selling fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) under its two trademarks on ecommerce platforms without authorisation. The conglomerate alleged that edible products like poha, wheat flour, makhana, pulses, lentils, salt, among others, were sold under the false trademark.

The development comes at a time when Reliance has been juggling with a slew of cases involving infringement of its trademarks. Last week, the Delhi HC restrained certain individuals and entities from impersonating the trademark of Reliance Retail’s beauty brand “Tira” after Reliance filed an infringement case.

In June, Inc42 discovered that scammers were operating a website under the name Jio Eat, which used the logo of Reliance Jio to offer food delivery services in 15 cities. However, users were being duped of their cash upon placing the order. The website was taken down later.

In 2023, the Delhi HC also ordered the Delhi Police to investigate a complaint from Reliance that its AJIO trademark was being used by scammers to dupe people.