The Delhi High Court has referred the ongoing trademark dispute between EBC Publishing Pvt. Ltd. and Rupa Publications India Pvt. Ltd., to mediation with the consent of the parties.
EBC Publishing sought to restrain Rupa Publications from allegedly infringing its registered marks by replicating the colour, and overall trade dress of its red-and-black “Coat Pocket Edition” of the Constitution of India.
On September 25, 2025, the Court granted an ex parte interim injunction in favour of EBC. Subsequently, Rupa Publications filed an application under Order XXXIX Rule 4 CPC, seeking vacation of that interim order.
Both parties agreed that Rupa’s application for vacating the injunction be treated as its reply to EBC’s original injunction application, and that EBC’s replication would serve as its rejoinder. Taking this consent arrangement on record, the Court directed that pleadings be completed accordingly and fixed both applications, EBC’s injunction plea and Rupa’s vacation application for final hearing on 17 December 2025.
Without prejudice to their contentions, both sides expressed willingness to explore settlement through mediation. Accepting their joint request, the Court referred the matter to the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre, directing the Organising Secretary to appoint a Senior Mediator and listing the matter before the Centre on 20 November 2025 at 3:30 PM. The parties were also permitted to proceed with admission and denial of documents during the mediation process.
Appearances
Plaintiffs- Mr. Raghavendra Mohan Bajaj, Mr. Shagun Agarwal and Mr. Zeeshan Ahmad, Advocates.
Defendant- Mr. Rahul Sharma, Mr. Santanam Swaminadman, Mr. Anand Singh, Mr. Kartik Malhotra, Mr. Anindit Mandal & Ms. Darshitha, Advocates.
