Delhi High Court Bars Flavoured Tea Brand from Copying Chaayos' Packaging; Orders Removal of Listings from Amazon

Delhi High Court Bars Flavoured Tea Brand from Copying Chaayos' Packaging; Orders Removal of Listings from Amazon

The Delhi High Court has barred a flavoured tea brand, Teacurry and Just Vedic, from manufacturing new products using the trade dress and packaging of the tea cafe Chaayos.

Regarding the products already manufactured using Chaayos' packaging, Justice Prathiba M Singh ordered the flavoured tea manufacturer to record the inventory details and monetary value.

The Court also ordered Amazon to remove listings of Teacurry and Just Vedic products, noting that their packaging was nearly identical to Chaayos' packaging.

If the defendant does not remove the listings, the plaintiff may approach the online platforms with the specific URLs to have them removed, the Court said.

Justice Singh was hearing a lawsuit filed by Chaayos against Grey Mantra Solutions, which offers various flavoured teas on online platforms under the brand names Teacurry and Just Vedic.

Chaayos alleged that the flavoured tea manufacturer Grey Mantra Solutions adopted and copied several distinctive elements of its packaging, creating a substantial imitation of its trade dress.

The manufacturer's product packaging was alleged to have imitated Chaayos' colours, some flavour names, and the "chaai" watermark.

The Court found that the flavoured tea manufacturer had imitated Chaayos' trade dress, copying distinctive elements in Teacurry and Just Vedic products.

Listings are crucial for online marketing and sales. Copying listings also suggests that the defendant is trying to pass off its products as the plaintiff's, which could lead to point-of-sale confusion, the Court observed as it listed the case for further hearing on January 29, 2024.