Archive · 8 Nov 2025
Madras HC Sides with Allied Blenders in 'Officer's Choice' Trademark Battle
Imagine two companies making similar-looking drinks and calling them almost the same thing.
One company, called Allied Blenders, makes 'Officer's Choice' whisky.
Another company, John Distilleries, makes a drink called 'Original Choice'.
They had a big argument about who got to use which name.
Allied Blenders went to court and the judge said, 'Officer's Choice' is Allied Blenders' name, and 'Original Choice' is not John Distilleries' name to use.
This means Allied Blenders gets to keep its name, and John Distilleries has to stop using theirs.
The judge made this decision on a Friday.
The Madras High Court ruled in favor of Allied Blenders and Distillers Ltd (ABD) in a trademark dispute.
The court dismissed John Distilleries' petition to cancel ABD's 'Officer’s Choice' trademark.
The court also allowed ABD's petition to cancel John Distilleries' 'Original Choice' trademark.
The ruling settles a legal battle over alleged similarities in branding and trade dress between the two companies.
Allied Blenders and Distillers Ltd (ABD) reported a 35.4% year-on-year rise in net profit for Q2FY26.
- Who
- Madras High Court, Allied Blenders and Distillers Ltd (ABD), and John Distilleries
- What
- The Madras High Court ruled in favor of Allied Blenders and Distillers Ltd (ABD), dismissing John Distilleries' petition to cancel ABD's 'Officer's Choice' trademark and allowing ABD's petition to cancel John Distilleries' 'Original Choice' trademark.
- When
- Friday
- Where
- Madras High Court
- Why
- The dispute concerned alleged similarities in branding and trade dress between the two companies' liquor products.
- Ruling Date
- Friday
- Court
- Madras High Court
- Plaintiff
- John Distilleries
- Defendant
- Allied Blenders and Distillers Ltd (ABD)
- Trademarks in Dispute
- 'Officer’s Choice' and 'Original Choice'