Shreya Gupta
On Friday, 7th February 2025, Delhi High Court issued an injunction against Rajat Srivastava, preventing him from hosting an award event under the name “Ratan Tata Icon Award.” This decision was made in response to a lawsuit filed by the Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Tata Trusts, alleging an intellectual property rights violation. The Court further ruled that Srivastava could not use logos, images, or any materials related to Ratan Tata and Tata Trusts.
During the hearing, Justice Mini Pushkarna observed that “Tata” is a well-known trademark, and the name “Ratan Tata” itself deserves legal protection due to its immense popularity. The Court is also considering whether “Ratan Tata” should be officially recognized as a well-known trademark. In response to the allegations, the defendant, Srivastava, agreed to discontinue the use of Ratan Tata’s name and cancel the awards. However, the Court has sought an official undertaking from the defendants to ensure compliance. The case is set for a hearing on 12th February to review whether the defendant has adhered to the Court’s directives.
The lawsuit revolves around the unauthorized use of well-known trademarks, logos, and personal identifiers linked to the Tata Group, specifically “TATA,” “TATA TRUSTS,” and the name and image of the late Ratan Tata. Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Tata Sons initiated the legal proceedings to safeguard their intellectual property rights, reputation, and goodwill, which have been built over more than a century. The defendants, including Srivastava and his company, Yuci Mentors Private Limited, were accused of organizing fraudulent award events falsely claiming affiliation with the Tata Trusts and Ratan Tata. These deceptive actions misled the public and damaged the plaintiffs’ reputation.
Despite receiving a takedown notice from Tata Trusts in December 2024, Srivastava and his company continued to promote their events on social media and their website, further violating intellectual property laws. Consequently, the plaintiffs sought a permanent injunction to prevent any further unauthorized use of their trademarks, logos, and the name or image of Ratan Tata. Additionally, the plaintiffs demanded damages of approximately ₹2 crores for the reputational and financial harm caused by these fraudulent activities.
The Court’s decision highlights the strict legal stance on protecting the intellectual property and reputation of well-known figures and corporations, ensuring that individuals or entities cannot misuse established names for personal gain.