Trademark Infringment between Parle & J.P. and Co.

The case of Parle Products Pvt. Ltd. v. J.P & Co. is a significant example of how Indian courts address trademark infringement and the importance of protecting brand identity. Parle Products, a well-established brand in the confectionery industry, brought a legal action against J.P & Co., alleging that the latter was using a trademark deceptively similar to its own. The dispute centered around the likelihood of confusion caused by the visual and phonetic resemblance between the two marks. Parle argued that such similarities could easily mislead consumers, especially children and others who regularly purchase chocolates and similar products.

The court thoroughly examined the overall impression created by both trademarks rather than analyzing each element in isolation. Applying the test of deceptive similarity, the court assessed the essential features of both marks—focusing on structure, sound, and appearance—to determine whether an average consumer might be confused or misled. Ultimately, the court found in favor of Parle Products, ruling that the defendant’s mark did indeed infringe upon the plaintiff’s trademark rights.

As a result, the court granted a permanent and mandatory injunction restraining J.P & Co. from using the infringing mark and imposed a fine of approximately ₹15,86,928. This judgment highlights the judiciary's firm stance on protecting brand distinctiveness and preventing consumer deception through imitation, serving as a critical reminder for businesses to respect intellectual property boundaries.