Jahanvi Agarwal
The Delhi High Court on 7th August 2024 issued a John Doe order to prevent any unidentified individuals from infringing on the trademarks and name of the law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.
Justice Mini Pushkarna’s order also prohibited these individuals from using the name or likeness of the firm’s Executive Chairman, Dr. Shardul S. Shroff, or any of its partners or members. John Doe orders are comprehensive cease and desist injunctions aimed at anonymous parties, often utilized in cases of intellectual property rights infringement, where identifying every offending party is nearly impossible.
The court directed Google to block fake email accounts and provide associated details, like phone numbers. Additionally, the Central Government was tasked with blocking these phone numbers. The court stated, “The plaintiff is granted liberty to publish a Public Notice informing the general public, about the fact of the various false communications being issued by unknown persons, thereby, using and infringing the registered trademark, logo, trade name and names of representatives of the plaintiff firm, and also the fact regarding the filing of the present suit.”
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas sought the High Court’s intervention due to the unauthorized use of its name, trademarks, and the image of Dr. Shroff, along with other intellectual properties. The firm reported that unidentified individuals were exploiting the firm’s name, logo, and Dr. Shroff’s image to send legal notices, emails, and letters to the public to extort money. It was suggested that a broader network might be involved in these unlawful activities, potentially harming the firm’s reputation and goodwill.
Case Name: Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co v. John Doe & Ors.
Case Number: CS(COMM) 665/2024
Bench: Justice Mini Pushkarna