The Delhi High Court has directed Amazon to pay ₹340 crore for unauthorized use of the Beverly Hills Polo Club (BHPC) trademark. The ruling came after Lifestyle Equities CV, the trademark owner, filed a lawsuit alleging that Amazon was selling clothing under its private label, Symbol, featuring a logo resembling BHPC’s. The court found that this created confusion among consumers and constituted a clear case of trademark infringement.
What Happened?
The dispute dates back to 2020, when Lifestyle Equities CV, the rightful owner of the Beverly Hills Polo Club (BHPC) trademark, filed a lawsuit against Amazon. The case centered on claims that Amazon’s private label, Symbol, was selling apparel featuring a logo strikingly similar to BHPC’s, potentially deceiving consumers.
Cloudtail India, a major seller on Amazon.in, was also implicated in distributing the allegedly infringing products.
Lifestyle Equities purchased some of these items directly from Amazon and argued that the logo used was “nothing but a slavish imitation” of its own. The company asserted that this unauthorized use amounted to trademark infringement, misrepresentation, and caused consumer confusion.
Trademark Infringement: Court’s Findings
Following a thorough examination of the evidence, the Delhi High Court concluded that:
The use of a logo resembling BHPC’s by Amazon was misleading and likely to cause consumer confusion, creating the false impression that the products were genuine BHPC merchandise.
Cloudtail India’s role in distributing the infringing goods further substantiated the claim of trademark infringement.
Amazon’s unauthorized use of BHPC’s brand elements under its private label was a direct violation of intellectual property rights
Penalty and Legal Consequences
Earlier, the Delhi High Court had issued an ad-interim injunction ordering:
Amazon, along with its affiliate Cloudtail India Pvt. Ltd. and Amazon Seller Services Pvt. Ltd., to cease using the BHPC trademark without authorization.
The removal of all infringing products from Amazon’s platform within 72 hours.
Amazon Technologies failed to appear before the court, resulting in ex-parte proceedings. Meanwhile, Cloudtail acknowledged that it had sold the infringing products between 2015 and July 2020.
Based on these findings, the court imposed a substantial penalty of ₹340 crore on Amazon, marking a significant step in the enforcement of trademark laws in India.
As per the court’s order, Amazon is required to pay:
₹292.7 crore in lost royalties
₹43.33 crore for additional advertising and promotional expenses incurred by Lifestyle Equities
₹3.23 crore in court fees and other legal costs
Key Takeaways for Businesses
The Delhi High Court’s ruling against Amazon serves as a strong reminder for businesses to proactively safeguard their brand identity. It underscores the importance of:
Registering and protecting your trademark to prevent unauthorized use by third parties.
Conducting thorough trademark searches before launching any product or service to avoid conflicts with existing brands.
Maintaining compliance with intellectual property laws to steer clear of costly legal disputes and penalties.
Actively monitoring the market for potential infringements and taking timely legal action when necessary.
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Trademark Registration & Protection
Registering your trademark is essential to legally secure your brand’s name, logo, and identity. Before filing, it’s critical to perform a comprehensive trademark search to ensure your mark is distinct and not already in use. A registered trademark grants you exclusive rights and legal protection, preventing others from imitating or misusing your brand
About the Author
priya
priya is a seasoned legal writer who specializes in translating complex legal concepts into clear, actionable guidance. Her writing empowers entrepreneurs with the legal understanding required to confidently launch, operate, and expand their businesses in compliance with Indian business laws
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