Delhi high court halts ‘Godfather’ whisky launch in trademark dispute

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court has restrained Cartel Bros, an entity backed by actor Sanjay Dutt, from proceeding with the launch of its proposed whisky brand ‘Glenwalk Godfather’, following a trademark infringement plea by Devans Modern Breweries.

Devans, which markets the widely-known ‘Godfather’ beer and also sells spirits under the same brand, argued that Cartel Bros had “dishonestly adopted” the ‘Godfather’ mark for its new whisky. The company submitted that the trademark enjoys strong reputation and goodwill in India, backed by multiple registrations, and that use of an identical mark for similar products would amount to infringement.

After hearing detailed submissions, the court recorded the defendants’ undertaking to defer the commercial launch of the product under the impugned mark until the next date of hearing.

The court also directed Cartel Bros to refrain from issuing any fresh promotional or social media communications related to the ‘Godfather’ branded product in the interim.

“We have registration of ‘Godfather’ under the Trademark Act. We sell beer and liquor, including whisky, under the same brand,” Prem Diwan, Chairman and Managing Director of Devans Modern Breweries, told Times Internet.

The next date of hearing is expected on April 10.
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