Author name: SpicyIP

Draft GI Logo Guidelines Risk Diluting Producer Rights: A Critical Analysis

/ By / Geographical Indication

The Draft Guidelines on GI and GI Logo Usage promise greater clarity and standardisation, yet they introduce changes that could fundamentally weaken GI protection in India. Dr. Anson CJ explains that by broadening who can use GI names and logos, the draft shifts power away from actual producers and towards intermediaries. Noting the issues with the guidelines, he explains the need for a Producer-First Framework and suggests recommendations to re-centre the guidelines around the Actual GI Producer. Dr. Anson is

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[SpicyIP Tidbit] Clean Hands versus Relevant Facts – The Tale of Injunctions

/ By / Trademark

[This post is authored by Mohamed Thahir Sulaiman. Thahir is a third year BALLB (Hons) student from the National Law School of India University, with interests in corporate law and technology law. His previous posts can be accessed here.] The division bench of the Delhi High Court (“DHC”) recently refused to grant an interim injunction to Quantum Hi-Tech in a trademark infringement matter, despite finding a prima facie case of infringement of its mark “Quantum” by LG. The ruling is

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Stuck in the US Trade Standoff: Thinking About Cross-Retaliation?

/ By / Others

In light of US tariffs on Indian imports hitting unprecedented levels, how far can India go in responding to these steep measures? Exploring cross-retaliation as a possible response, Srishti Gaur explains the concept and assesses its feasibility. Srishti is a third-year student at National Law University, Delhi. Stuck in the US Trade Standoff: Thinking About Cross-Retaliation? By Srishti Gaur At a time when tariffs on US imports from India reached a staggering 50%, India found itself in a high-stakes conflict

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Written Submission Template for the 1st National Policy Brief Competition on Intellectual Property & Innovation 2025

/ By / Opportunities

The registration for the 1st National Policy Brief Competition on Intellectual Property & Innovation 2025 by SpicyIP and CIPAM, DPIIT, is in full swing, with multiple teams signing up each day. We’ve received an outstanding response, with 75+ teams having registered so far. Since the announcement of the competition, we have received a couple of emails enquiring about the structure of the written submissions and the output document. For the benefit of those who have already applied, as well as

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SpicyIP Weekly Review (November 17-November 23)

/ By / Copyright, Patent, Trademark

Here is a quick recap of the eventful week that we had. Last week, we announced the SpicyIP-jhana Blogpost Writing Competition 2025, an exciting opportunity for young IP enthusiasts to share their thoughts on the Indian IP landscape. We also had discussions on the Kenyan Court of Appeal decision refusing to reject a trademark application containing the term”Basmati” and the Delhi High Court DB’s order to pass an injunction against “Wow Burgers” holding the same to be deceptively similar to

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Succession (The Goenka Family Version): Bombay High Court Affirms Indian Express’s Primacy in Trademark Dispute

/ By / Trademark

In its recent judgment, the Bombay High Court settled the long-running conflict over the New Indian Express mark by examining the parties’ 1995 and 2005 settlement agreements. The Court ultimately granted an injunction against Express Publications (Madurai) Pvt. Ltd., limiting its use of the mark to specified territories. Explaining the family feud and the Court’s decision, Vasundra Koul explains how the Court might have failed in its interpretation of trademark principles vis-à-vis a contractual agreement. Vasundra is a fourth-year student

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CHC vs DHC: A Split Over Second Appeals in Trademark Cases

/ By / Trademark

A long-standing procedural puzzle in trademark appellate practice has resurfaced, this time before the Calcutta High Court. In a decision dated 4 November 2025, the Court in Glorious Investment Limited v. Dunlop International Limited has held that no Letters Patent Appeal lies from a Single Judge’s order passed under Section 91 of the Trade Marks Act. Mohamed Thahir Sulaiman writes on the ruling, explaining how it has reopened questions of consistency across High Courts and may well require Supreme Court

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Announcing the SpicyIP-jhana Blogpost Writing Competition 2025

/ By / Opportunities

In an exciting opportunity for young IP enthusiasts to showcase their writing and analytical skills, we’re thrilled to announce the SpicyIP–jhana Blogpost Writing Competition, 2025, organized in collaboration with jhana. As explained here, jhana is a platform and a tool for lawyers, offering access to legal datasets and AI assistants enabling legal research, review, and drafting. The competition will run for six weeks, starting today and ending on 30th December, during which shortlisted entries will be published on the blog

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Tying the Knot and Testing the Law: Musical Fair Use or Judicial Constraints?

/ By / Copyright

Highlighting the controversy surrounding demands for royalties for songs played during weddings, despite Section 52(1)(za), Rajesh Kumar and Akanksha Badika, using various principles of statutory interpretation, examine the legislative intent behind this provision and explain why such demands are not justified under the Copyright Act. Rajesh Kumar works as the Head of Legal and Akanksha Badika works as the Senior Legal Manager at Bhansali Productions, Mumbai (a film production house). Their practice predominantly revolves around copyright law, litigation and advising

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A Second Helping for Wow Momo: Delhi HC Serves Up a New Recipe for Trademark Protection

/ By / Trademark

The Delhi High Court Division Bench on October 16 set aside the single judge’s order, recognising that while ‘wow’ itself may be generic, the creative branding of “WOW + food-item” is protectable. Hafsah Azhar Ansari writes on the DB ruling, focusing on the Court’s finding on “idea infringement” and the implications of this ruling. Hafsah Azhar Ansari is a third year student at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad. A Second Helping for Wow Momo: Delhi HC Serves Up a New

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