Delhi High Court Denies Trademark Protection Over Generic Word ‘Tiger’

The Delhi High Court has ruled that the words “TIGER” and “BRAND” are generic and incapable of exclusive trademark ownership.

The case arose from a suit filed by Mayank Jain, proprietor of Mahaveer Udyog, alleging that Atulya Discs Pvt. Ltd. infringed his registered device mark “TIGER GOLD BRAND” by using “TIGER PREMIUM BRAND” for agricultural implements.

The Bench held that registration of a device mark does not confer monopoly over generic words, and the plaintiff failed to prove secondary meaning.

Applying the anti-dissection rule, the Court found no deceptive similarity, confusion, or passing off, and dismissed the injunction application.

[Mayank Jain v. Atul Discs]