HC restrains Regt Trademarks in allotting 'Zee' logo

New Delhi, Feb 11: The Delhi High Court has restrained the Registrar of Trademarks from processing application of Maharashtra-based pan masala manufacturer- Shri Venkateshwara Pan Masala Industries-- seeking registration of the trademark 'Zee' to sell pan masala and tobacco products.

Justice Pradeep Nanderjog said, ''Registrars of Trademarks (All Branches) are restrained from processing pending any other applications pertaining to the registration of the trademark 'Zee'.'' Issuing notice to the Joint Registrar of the Registrar of Trademarks, the Court said, ''Further injunction is issued restraining the Registrar from advertising any further application in Trade Marks journal, which may be filed pertaining to the trademark 'Zee'.'' The Zee Telefilms Ltd had filed a petition seeking direction to quash of all pending applications of the Gutkha manufacturer using former's brand name "Zee" for the registration.

Counsel for Zee Telefilms Rajiv Nayyar and Pratibha Singh contended that the company is the registered proprietor and lawful owners of trademark "Zee" in India as well as abroad.

It has copyright in ZEE logo written in any manner whatsoever, added Mr Nayyar.

Many companies taking advantage of the popularity of various channels of Zee TV want to capitalise on the logo to sell their products, said the Counsel during the submission.

UN