The Delhi High Court denies any relief in regard to the plea by Princeton University, an Ivy league school, to refrain a Hyderabad based educational institution, Vagdevi Educational Society for using its Trademark “Princeton”.
The bench was led by Justice C Hari Shankar Which observed that the Vagdevi Educational Society was using the name since 1991 and only if Indian students studied in Princeton University, USA, that would not imply the use of “Princeton” mark in India by the University prior to 1991.
The case was based on a trademark suit filed by the Ivy league school, Princeton University, which approached Indian court on the grounds that :-
(1) The University has been using the trademark of “Princeton” from 1911 in India.
(2) The University backed their contention with several newspaper articles mentioning their name.
(3) It also contended that it has offered various fellowships to Indian students.
(4) It also has ties up with many Indian educational institutions.
The Princeton University alleged trademark infringement by use of mark “Princeton” by Hyderabad based society using name “Princeton” for its six educational institutions.
But the court observed that nobody can be confused between an Ivy School , Princeton University and Hyderabad based Educational Institution. It would be unrealistic to mistake among both of them even if their services are the same.
Therefore , the court dismissed the plea for an interim injunction against the Vagdevi Educational Society.
Case : The Trustees of Princeton University v. The Vagdevi Educational Society & ors.
WRITTEN BY : VIDHI MAHAJAN , A BALLB STUDENT FROM GURU NANAK DEV UNIVERSITY , AMRITSAR AND A LEGAL INTERN UNDER LEGAL VIDHIYA.
