Wipro gets injunction against Kerala soap maker

Bangalore, Oct 11 (UNI) Wipro Limited has secured an interim injunction against Oushadha Chandrika Ayurvedics India (P) Limited of Kerala against manufacturing toilet soaps under the 'Ourshadha Chandrika' trademark.

Wipro Limited purchased 'Chandrika' trademark from Chandrika family in 2004, through its subsidiary Wipro Chandrika Limited.

Wipro Chandrika Limited is the exclusive owner of the trademark 'Chandrika' having acquired all rights to the trademark along with goodwill.

During July 2007, a Wipro sales team found a party, trading under the name and style of Oushadha Chandrika Ayurvedics India (P) Limited, Kerala, had started to manufacture toilet soaps under 'Oushadha Chandrika' trademark, the company said in a release here today.

Wipro filed a suit for infringement before Madras High Court and obtained interim injunction against the party.

The court prohibited it from manufacturing and selling soaps under the trademark 'Chandrika,' 'Oushadha Chandrika' or any deceptively similar mark or using any cartons of the colour scheme, get up similar to Chandrika, until further orders.

The court also appointed an Advocate Commissioner to visit the premises of the party and take inventory of all soaps and packaging material bearing the trademark 'Oushadha Chandrika.

The Advocate Commissioner visited the premises of Oushadha Chandrika Ayurvedics India (P) Limited yesterday and served copies of the interim injunction order.

He also took inventory of all finished goods, packaging and wrappers and would submit a report as directed by the court.

A similar notice was served on a wholesaler in Thrissur who was stocking and selling goods manufactured by the party under trademark 'Oushadha Chandrika.' UNI