Delhi High Court grants injunction in IKEA trademark infringement case against Kerala-based furniture company

Delhi High Court grants injunction in IKEA trademark infringement case against Kerala-based furniture company

Permits the Swedish company to request JustDial to remove the defendant’s page

The Delhi High Court has issued an ex-parte ad-interim injunction against a Kerala-based furniture company ‘Ikea Luxury Furniture’ after Inter IKEA Systems BV, the global manufacturer, filed a trademark infringement lawsuit.

IKEA Systems claimed that the defendant was using the well-known mark ‘IKEA’ illegally on a variety of furniture items, within hoardings, and product packaging. It utilized the mark on similar products and catered to the same customer base and continued to do so, even after being given a legal warning, which compelled the plaintiff to file a lawsuit.

IKEA Systems claimed that the mark ‘IKEA’ was very recognizable and unique, making it worthy of protection. It needed to be protected from any potential damage caused by the defendant’s wrongful use.

Thus, while considering the importance of such protection, the bench comprising Justice Prathiba M. Singh emphasized the IKEA brand’s uniqueness and familiarity on a global scale.

The court decided that an ex-parte ad-interim injunction was justified since the defendant was using the mark for similar products and targeting the same customer category. The ruling was supported by the defendant’s inability to stop using the mark despite a formal notice. The plaintiff’s mark warranted protection and future infringement needed to be stopped.

Thus, the bench ordered Ikea Luxury Furniture not to use the word ‘IKEA’ or any other name confusingly similar to a trade name or trademark on posters, banners, handbills, hoardings, or other promotional materials. It stated that protecting the plaintiff’s rights and preventing future illegal use of the trademark were the goals of the injunction.

Furthermore, the court granted IKEA Systems permission to get in touch with JustDial and request that the defendant’s page, tagged as ‘IKEA Luxury Furniture’ be removed.