The Delhi High Court tossed out Lotus Herbals’ bid for an interim injunction against Deepika Padukone’s ’82°E’ self-care line, specifically over their product ‘Lotus Splash’ gentle face cleanser. Justice C. Hari Shankar, the wise adjudicator in this spectacle, found the two products to be as different as chalk and cheese, both in appearance and price.
With a touch of humor, the court pointed out that the only thing connecting the two brands was the word “lotus.” It cleverly remarked that consumers aren’t likely to confuse a face cleanser with a Bollywood star’s brainchild. It seems like even in the world of trademarks, fame doesn’t grant immunity.
The court humorously noted that ‘Lotus Splash’ does splash with its uniqueness and isn’t merely a copycat trying to mooch off Lotus Herbals’ reputation. Plus, they highlighted the subtle presence of ’82°E’ on the product bottles, a detail not to be missed even by the most absent-minded shopper.
In a twist that could be straight out of a Bollywood script, Lotus Herbals aimed for a permanent injunction against Dpka Universal Consumer Ventures Private Limited, only to find their hopes dashed like a hero’s in a tragic climax. The court’s verdict boiled down to a simple conclusion: no infringement, no injunction. It seems like in the battle of the lotuses, this round goes to the one with the splashy twist.