By Martin Shwenk Leade
Copyright indiatimes
An Ahmedabad court has barred a domestic terry towel manufacturer from using the mark Volvo on its products, more than three decades after Swedish automotive giant AB Volvo filed a suit claiming trademark infringement.The injunction also covers the company’s use of the mark for another subsidiary engaged in investment and banking businesses. In addition, the court ordered the local firm to pay Rs 1 lakh in nominal damages to the Swedish automaker.AB Volvo first filed the suit in 1995 against Volvo Terry Industries Limited and Volvo Finance Limited, seeking to prevent them from using the “Volvo” name in any form. The auto company argued that the defendants had deliberately adopted the name to capitalise on its global reputation and goodwill. AB Volvo noted that it had registered the Volvo brand since 1975 and 1980 across various classes of products. Besides vehicles, the company also sells towels and garments, submitting a detailed list of its products to the court.The local company, incorporated in 1992, operated a towel manufacturing unit in Sanand. AB Volvo accused it of passing off by leveraging the well-known brand name. Although the court provided ample opportunities for the defendants to defend themselves, they did not cross-examine any witnesses presented by the automobile company.Live EventsThe court ultimately ruled in favour of AB Volvo, stating, “In view of the above documentary evidence, it appears that the defendants (local companies) and their promoters deliberately adopted the word ‘VOLVO’ as part of their business and violated the rights of the plaintiffs which are reserved under the Trade Mark Act, 1999.”With inputs from TOIAdd as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onVolvo trademark disputetrademark infringementAB Volvo lawsuitlocal firm trademark caseVovlo markcourt ruling on trademarksVolvo Terry IndustriesAB Volvo(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online….moreless
