New Delhi: In a landmark judgment, a commercial court in Pune has ruled in favor of the locally-owned Burger King, dismissing a 13-year-old lawsuit filed by the American fast-food giant, Burger King Corporation. The long-standing legal battle over the use of the name and trademark has finally concluded with a victory for the Pune-based eatery.
Presiding over the case, District Judge Sunil Vedpathak rejected the global corporation’s plea for a permanent injunction, finding that the local Burger King had established a legitimate right to use the name well before the multinational entered the Indian market.
The Pune-based restaurant, owned by Anahita and Shapoor Irani, has been operating under the name since 1992-1993. The court recognized that this predates Burger King Corporation’s trademark registration in India. The multinational fast-food chain, which entered the Indian market in 2014, initiated the legal proceedings in 2008, claiming trademark infringement and demanding damages.
ALSO READ: Zomato Cracks Down on AI-Generated Food Images
However, the court’s decision highlighted the local restaurant’s consistent use of the name for nearly three decades, a period during which the American corporation had minimal presence in the country. The judge emphasized that the Pune-based Burger King had established a strong reputation and goodwill associated with the name.
This verdict marks a significant win for the local business, which has successfully defended its right to use the name Burger King. The case underscores the importance of prior use and established reputation in trademark disputes.
