TRADEMARK DISPUTE: BOMBAY HC STOPS ABD FROM USING ‘MANSION HOUSE’ AND ‘SAVOY CLUB’

INTRODUCTION

The Bombay High Court has made a historic ruling in one of India’s longest-running intellectual property cases, prohibiting Allied Blenders and Distillers Pvt. Ltd. (ABD) from launching or marketing its goods throughout the country under the trademarks “MANSION HOUSE” and “SAVOY CLUB” until the outcome of the current trial. The order, dated July 16, 2025, was issued by a Division Bench of the High Court and marks a significant victory for Tilaknagar Industries Limited (TIL), which has fought to assert its exclusive ownership of the two legacy liquor brands.

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BACKGROUND OF THE CASE

This business dispute began in 1987 when Tilaknagar Industries and UTO Nederland BV (now Herman Jansen Beverages Nederland) signed a contract giving Tilaknagar Industries the rights to the Savoy Club gin and Mansion House brandy trademarks in India. The agreement was pivotal in shaping TIL’s presence in the Indian alcoholic beverages market. However, years later, Herman Jansen and his Indian partners primarily challenged the legitimacy of the deal, arguing that it was never legally finalized. This disagreement ultimately led to a trademark infringement lawsuit that has been ongoing since 2009.

ABD and Dutch distiller Herman Jansen Beverages (previously UTO) successfully revived their 17-year-old dispute with Tilaknagar Industries in February 2025 when the Bombay High Court permitted them to introduce Mansion House brandy and Savoy Club gin in India.TIL responded swiftly, filing an appeal before the Division Bench of the High Court, asserting that the earlier ruling threatened its market share and brand integrity.

THE LATEST RULING

With its most recent decision on July 16, the Bombay High Court granted TIL’s appeals, which contested the previous verdict allowing ABD to sell its goods in West Bengal under the “MANSION HOUSE” brand. In a related move in the same suit, ABD filed Appeal No. 66 of 2012, which the Division Bench likewise dismissed. By ordering ABD to continue to refrain from introducing goods under the contested marks “MANSION HOUSE” and “SAVOY CLUB” throughout India until the resolution of the initial commercial intellectual property lawsuit (filed in 2009), the court has essentially restored a restriction on ABD.

This decision directly strengthens Tilaknagar Industries’ legal position, reinforcing its long-standing claim of exclusive rights to the Mansion House and Savoy Club trademarks. TIL, which has built its brand reputation and market presence over decades, had long sought the court’s intervention to restrain ABD, Herman Jansen Beverages Nederland, and UTO Asia from manufacturing, marketing, or selling alcoholic products under the trademarks Mansion House and Savoy Club.

UPHOLDING TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT NORMS IN INDIA

The Bombay High Court’s ruling comes at a critical time when Indian courts are increasingly called upon to resolve complex cases of trademark infringement. By siding with TIL, the court has reaffirmed the principle that original trademark holders must be protected from any attempts at imitation or dilution of brand identityparticularly in sectors like alcoholic beverages where brand reputation plays a vital role in consumer trust.

As such, the decision underscores the importance of adhering to long-standing agreements and not allowing commercial interest to override the sanctity of legal contracts. While Herman Jansen argued that the 1987 agreement was never finalized, the court’s current stand recognizes TIL’s ownership of the trademarks within India, offering clarity that may influence future trademark disputes.

THE IMPACT ON THE BUSINESS

Tilaknagar Industries’ exclusive ownership of the “Mansion House” and “Savoy Club” trademarks is upheld by the Bombay High Court’s decision, shielding its iconic brands from copying. It protects TIL’s market share and brand value by preventing competitors UTO and ABD from adopting comparable branding. By eliminating the legal ramifications, the ruling increases investor trust. Additionally, it might make TIL more competitive in the market for high-end spirits. The decision upholds brand integrity until the trial’s conclusion.

This decision is especially significant as Mansion House is one of India’s top-selling brandy labels. For TIL, being able to exclusively market this product without any brand confusion or competitor usage under a similar label ensures continuity in revenue and customer loyalty. Furthermore, the judgment paves the way for further investment in brand building, marketing, and geographic expansion without the immediate threat of legal ambiguity.

This scenario highlights how essential ongoing trademark vigilance is. Platforms like TMWala offer end-to-end solutions that help companies like TIL safeguard their brand portfolios across regions, preventing both deliberate infringements and unintentional misuse.

FUTURE LEGAL AND COMMERCIAL TRAJECTORY

Tilaknagar Industries will proceed with the main trial for a final decision on brand rights after the trademark victory. The business can now take action to prevent rivals in West Bengal and other states from utilizing identical trademarks. TIL’s position to grow its Mansion House and Savoy Club brands is strengthened by this ruling. Additionally, it is anticipated to reassure investors and pave the way for more robust brand development. Legal professionals will make sure the decision is fully implemented.

TIL’s legal counsel is expected to be vigilant in enforcing the latest court orders, ensuring that competitors do not bypass the ruling through limited regional launches or alternate branding strategies. Additionally, the company may now focus on consolidating its foothold in states where the competition had previously planned to launch under the contested trademarks.

The ruling could also embolden TIL to pursue claims of damages or seek further judicial relief if there is evidence of past or ongoing misuse of the trademarks in contravention of the earlier agreements.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT IN INDIA

The Bombay High Court’s stance in this matter sets an important precedent in trademark infringement in India. For industries heavily reliant on brand equitylike alcoholic beverages, pharmaceuticals, and fashion this judgment is a reminder that legacy contracts and ownership claims are to be upheld even when decades have passed.

Moreover, the case demonstrates how courts can balance complex commercial interests while defending the rights of companies that have built their identity over years of investment and effort. In this instance, Tilaknagar Industries’ perseverance has been rewarded, reinforcing trust in the legal system’s ability to adjudicate nuanced corporate disputes.

For Allied Blenders and Distillers Pvt. Ltd., the court’s decision is a significant setback. ABD, a key player in the Indian spirits industry, had banked on expanding its portfolio by reviving the Mansion House and Savoy Club labels with the assistance of Herman Jansen. The ruling now requires the company to revisit its branding strategy and potentially recalibrate its future growth plans in India.

CONCLUSION

The Bombay High Court’s latest intervention in the Tilaknagar Industries trademark dispute has provided much-needed clarity and reinforcement of intellectual property rights. By barring ABD and its foreign partners from launching products under the disputed Mansion House and Savoy Club trademarks, the court has reaffirmed TIL’s rightful claim as the sole proprietor of these brands within India.

While the final verdict in the ongoing commercial suit is still pending, the current judgment offers Tilaknagar Industries a powerful legal and commercial advantage. It also provides a valuable precedent in the domain of trademark infringement India and serves as a cautionary note to businesses seeking to capitalize on legacy brands without honoring existing contractual commitments.

As the Indian spirits market continues to expand, safeguarding brand identity and honoring long-standing agreements will remain crucialboth for market stability and consumer trust.

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