Toyota Wins A Landmark Case Related To Trademark Of Prius In India

In one of the significant ruling, the Delhi High Court delivered the judgement in the landmark case related to the trademark of Toyota Prius.

The case was brought to an end in favour of the Japanese auto major, Toyota. The case filed in 2009 by Toyota against a proprietary firm and a company by the name of Prius Auto Industries and Prius Auto Accessories Private Limited, who were the Defendants.

Toyota was objecting the use of its trademark 'Prius' as it was its first hybrid car in the world. The defendants in the case were also selling manufactured spare parts under the trademarks of Toyota, Innova and Qualis.

After nearly seven years of the case, the Delhi High Court delivered its judgement. The Defendants had interestingly secured registrations of the name Prius in India, which Toyota had not.

The court, however, was convinced that the Defendants took unfair advantage of the reputation of the Japanese major which helped Defendants expand its business. Toyota had filed the case through the law firm Anand and Anand.

Hon'ble Justice Manmohan Singh gave the final judgement in favour of the Toyota. The Defendants statement of account showed their business grew under the name of Prius and sales were up to Rs. 20 crores. The court ruled that the defendants should pay Toyota Rs. 10 lakh as damages for taking advantage of the trademark and for violating rights.

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