Delhi High Court Grants Interim Relief to Amba Shakti Steels Ltd. in Trademark Dispute

In a significant development, the Delhi High Court granted an interim injunction in favour of Amba Shakti Steels Ltd. in its ongoing trademark dispute with Sequence Ferro Private Ltd. The appeal, FAO (COMM) 41/2024, was heard by a bench comprising Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju. The court set aside an earlier order dated January 18, 2024, by the Commercial Court, which had dismissed Amba Shakti's plea for interim relief.

The case revolves around allegations by Amba Shakti Steels that Sequence Ferro Private Ltd. was infringing upon its registered trademark "AMBA" by using a deceptively similar trademark, "AMMAJI," for their steel bars and related goods. Amba Shakti, a leading player in the steel industry, had sought a permanent injunction against Sequence Ferro for trademark infringement, copyright infringement, and passing off.

The court highlighted the similarities between the two trademarks, particularly noting the phonetic resemblance and overall visual similarity, which could potentially lead to consumer confusion. While Amba Shakti has used its trademark for over two decades, Sequence Ferro only recently adopted the "AMMAJI" mark in 2023, leading the court to rule that the balance of convenience lay with the appellant.

In its judgment, the High Court observed that the similarity between the competing trademarks was not limited to phonetics but extended to the structure, colour, and overall commercial impression of the marks. The court further noted that Sequence Ferro's justification for adopting "AMMAJI" was unconvincing, adding weight to Amba Shakti's claim that Sequence Ferro intended to take unfair advantage of its established goodwill.

Granting the interim injunction, the court restrained Sequence Ferro from using the "AMMAJI" trademark or any other deceptively similar mark until the case was finally resolved. The court made it clear that these observations were solely for interim relief and should not influence the final decision of the Commercial Court.

The order represents a crucial victory for Amba Shakti Steels Ltd. as it seeks to protect its trademark and market presence in the steel industry.

Read the judgement here - Amba Shakti Steel Vs Sequence Ferro Private Ltd.