7 months ago
Gurugram Court Bars Firm from Using Harvard Trademark
A court in Gurugram, India, recently stopped an education company from using the name 'Harvard' for its programs and website.
Harvard, a famous university, said the company was using its name without permission, which could confuse students.
The company argued that it was just using the name to describe its trainers, who are Harvard graduates.
The court decided to protect Harvard's name until the case is fully decided.
Gurugram Commercial Court issued an interim injunction against BIG Red Education for using the Harvard trademark without authorization.
Harvard argued that the firm was using its name in programs like 'Harvard Youth Leadership Conference' and 'Harvard Debate League'.
The court restrained the firm from using the Harvard name in any educational programs or websites.
BIG Red Education argued that it was only using the term 'Harvard Mentors' to describe its trainers, who are Harvard alumni.
The court's order aims to prevent confusion and protect Harvard's trademark from being used without consent.
- Who
- President and Fellows of Harvard College vs. BIG Red Education
- What
- Gurugram Commercial Court issued an interim injunction against BIG Red Education for using the Harvard trademark without authorization
- Where
- Gurugram, India
- When
- January 3, 2024
- Why
- To prevent confusion and protect Harvard's trademark from being used without consent
Key facts
- Plaintiff
- President and Fellows of Harvard College
- Defendant
- BIG Red Education
- Court
- Gurugram Commercial Court
- Judge
- Additional District Judge Mahavir Singh
- Programs Involved
- Harvard Youth Leadership Conference, Harvard Youth Lead The Change, Harvard Debate League
- Website Involved
- http://www.harvardvic.org
- Legal Basis for Defense
- Section 30(2)(d) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999
Quotes
Commercial court in Gurugram
The court hearing the trademark infringement case
“[Such] activities [would] likely to lead to confusion or deception thereby resulting in passing off the defendants’ services as those of plaintiff during the pendency of the suit”
financialexpress.com
“Using Harvard’s name is misleading”
financialexpress.com
