Delhi High Court Asks Firm to Stop Using Devtol mark

The Delhi High Court has ordered Mohit Petrochemicals Pvt. Ltd. to stop using the mark ‘Devtol’ for manufacturing and selling its hand sanitisers, saying it infringes the trademark and logo of well-known antiseptic ‘Dettol’. The court also imposed a cost of ₹1 lakh on the manufacturer of ‘Devtol’ hand sanitisers and directed that the amount be deposited to the Juvenile Justice Fund within a week from the date on which the order was passed.

Reckitt Benckiser Pvt. Ltd. sought permanent injunction in the Delhi High Court. In the courtroom of Justice Rajiv Shakdher, he said, To be noted, the plaintiff is a manufacturer of a well-known antiseptic which is sold under the registered trademark and logo Dettol. The plaintiff has approached this court seeking various reliefs against the infringing mark and logo i.e. ‘Devtol’.”

The Court, after hearing arguments from both the parties through videoconferencing, passed a decree of permanent injunction restraining Mohit Petrochemicals from using the trademark ‘DEVTOL’ or any similar marks for their products. The defendant’s counsel contended that Mohit Petrochemicals has initiated the withdrawal of the infringing mark and has already written to his agents and dealers to withdraw the product bearing the infringing mark from the market. 

Citation: Reckitt Benckiser (India) Pvt. Ltd. v. Mohit Petrochemicals Pvt. Ltd CS(COMM)No.141/2020 & I.A.Nos.4034-37/2020