The Delhi High Court granted an interim injunction against three websites that were offering repair services while using Samsung’s trademarks and copyrighted materials without authorization. The court observed that the infringing websites were prominently displaying the “Samsung” trademark on their homepages and presenting themselves as authorized service providers of Samsung products. One of the websites further misrepresented itself as an official Samsung service center, and included features like “chat with an expert,” which redirected users to third-party AI chatbots. The court noted that such representations were likely to create confusion among consumers and could cause reputational damage to Samsung.
The petitioners argued that the websites were engaging in both trademark and copyright infringement by using Samsung’s marks, logos, and copyrighted images without consent. They submitted that these websites were misleading consumers into believing that they had an official association with Samsung. The court found these claims credible, emphasizing that unauthorized use of a well-known trademark, particularly in a commercial context, can deceive consumers and impact the brand’s goodwill.
Justice Tejas Karia issued directions to restrain the three websites from continuing the unauthorized use of the Samsung trademarks and copyrighted content. The court ordered that the access to the domains of the infringing websites be locked, suspended, or disabled to prevent further misuse. The judgment highlighted that such interim measures were necessary to protect both the brand and the consumers from being misled, noting that the unauthorized use of trademarks and copyrighted material was sufficient to demonstrate a likelihood of confusion and potential harm.
This case underscores the judiciary’s approach to protecting well-known trademarks and copyrighted material in the digital environment. The court recognized that websites offering repair services cannot falsely claim affiliation with renowned brands or exploit their intellectual property for commercial gain. By granting the interim injunction, the court reinforced the principle that brand owners have the right to prevent unauthorized use of their trademarks and copyrighted content, particularly when such use misleads consumers and undermines the brand’s reputation.
The Delhi High Court’s order serves as a cautionary precedent for operators of websites and digital services, reaffirming that misuse of well-known marks, logos, and copyrighted images can result in immediate legal intervention to protect the rights of trademark and copyright holders.
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