Delhi High Court: Arbitrary and Distinctive Numerical Marks Like ‘2929’ Can Be Registered as Trademarks

The Delhi High Court has ruled that numerical trademarks are eligible for registration under Indian law if they are arbitrary and serve as distinctive source identifiers.

The verdict came in Vineet Kapur’s appeal against the refusal to register the mark ‘2929’ under Class 3, which covers cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, and related goods. 

The Court observed that numbers, like words or logos, can function as valid trademarks if they bear no direct link to the goods.

The Court noted that Kapur’s already held multiple registered numerical marks such as ‘9292’, ‘1111’, and ‘1010’ for Class 3 goods.

The court overturned the Registrar’s decision but clarified that no exclusive rights can be claimed over the digits ‘2’ or ‘9’.