Campus Activewear takes Campus Sutra to court over trademark dispute

The buzz around "Campus" is heating up and it’s not about student life this time. Campus Activewear, a stalwart in India’s sneaker and sportswear scene, has taken Campus Sutra, a trendy fashion label, to the Delhi High Court. The issue? A trademark dispute over the use of the word "Campus," as first highlighted by Bar & Bench.Campus Activewear argues that Campus Sutra’s use of “Campus” even in part of a longer name, risks confusing customers and diluting its strong brand identity. They’ve asked the court for a permanent ban preventing Sutra from using “Campus” in any of its products.On the flip side, Campus Sutra, operating under that full name since 2012, says its use of “Campus” was accidental and extremely limited. From over 11,000 product designs, only three apparently showed up online under “Campus” alone and Sutra claims those were mistakenly uploaded. The brand has since pulled the listings and promises it won’t use the word “Campus” on its own again, at least until the next court date.Senior Advocate Amit Sibal, representing Sutra, reassured Justice Amit Bansal that the brand has always used the full “Campus Sutra” label (especially on apparel, not footwear) and that standalone "Campus" usage was unintentional. The court accepted that promise and formally issued a notice to Sutra regarding Activewear’s request for interim protection. Both companies are backing their teams with top legal talent: Campus Activewear has Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi and the Panag & Babu team, while Sutra is defended by Sibal and colleagues.Why does this matter? Beyond the legal clash, it highlights a major tension in Indian retail. Established brands like Campus Activewear see their name, built over decades - as valuable currency, and worry about identity theft in a crowded online marketplace. Brands like Campus Sutra, native to the digital space and targeting younger shoppers, are navigating how far they can push names without stepping on legacy toes.The next court hearing is scheduled for November 10, so stay tuned for what could set a big precedent: how older, offline brands protect their identity in the era of online fashion disruptions or how new-age players carve out space for themselves with creative branding.