In a decisive blow to imitation branding, a Delhi court has ruled that the name “CARNATIC” belongs solely to the capital’s beloved Carnatic Café. The verdict permanently bars a Bengaluru-based company, Lemonpepper Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., from using the mark in any form for its restaurant ventures.
Delivered by District Judge (Commercial) Neelam Singh at Saket Courts, the October 29 ruling declared that the Bengaluru firm’s use of “CARNATIC” infringed upon the registered trademark of Carnatic Café, owned by restaurateur Pavan Jambagi. The Court ordered a permanent injunction, extending the restriction to the firm’s directors, employees, franchisees, and agents.
The dispute dates back to 2019, when Carnatic Café sued Lemonpepper Hospitality for copying its name. An interim injunction was issued the same year, preventing the defendants from using “CARNATIC.” Their failure to file a written statement in time led to their defence being struck off in 2020. Later, in 2022, the company’s managing director filed an affidavit acknowledging compliance and promising not to use the name again.
Noting that the case stood uncontested and the defendants’ own admissions confirmed infringement, the court found the plaintiff’s claim fully proven. The judge emphasised that Carnatic Café had established both its legal ownership and the goodwill attached to its mark.
Applying procedural law that allows judgment on undisputed pleadings, the court made the earlier interim injunction permanent. It also ordered Lemonpepper Hospitality to transfer the domain name www.carnaticrestaurant.com to Carnatic Café within four weeks.
To reinforce accountability, the Court awarded ₹50,000 in damages and ₹10,000 in legal costs to Carnatic Café, noting that deterrent compensation was essential to protect established brands from opportunistic infringement.
With this ruling, the Delhi eatery’s name remains legally—and proudly—its own.
In a decisive blow to imitation branding, a Delhi court has ruled that the name “CARNATIC” belongs solely to the capital’s beloved Carnatic Café. The verdict permanently bars a Bengaluru-based company, Lemonpepper Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., from using the mark in any form for its restaurant ventures.
Delivered by District Judge (Commercial) Neelam Singh at Saket Courts, the October 29 ruling declared that the Bengaluru firm’s use of “CARNATIC” infringed upon the registered trademark of Carnatic Café, owned by restaurateur Pavan Jambagi. The Court ordered a permanent injunction, extending the restriction to the firm’s directors, employees, franchisees, and agents.
The dispute dates back to 2019, when Carnatic Café sued Lemonpepper Hospitality for copying its name. An interim injunction was issued the same year, preventing the defendants from using “CARNATIC.” Their failure to file a written statement in time led to their defence being struck off in 2020. Later, in 2022, the company’s managing director filed an affidavit acknowledging compliance and promising not to use the name again.
Noting that the case stood uncontested and the defendants’ own admissions confirmed infringement, the court found the plaintiff’s claim fully proven. The judge emphasised that Carnatic Café had established both its legal ownership and the goodwill attached to its mark.
Applying procedural law that allows judgment on undisputed pleadings, the court made the earlier interim injunction permanent. It also ordered Lemonpepper Hospitality to transfer the domain name www.carnaticrestaurant.com to Carnatic Café within four weeks.
To reinforce accountability, the Court awarded ₹50,000 in damages and ₹10,000 in legal costs to Carnatic Café, noting that deterrent compensation was essential to protect established brands from opportunistic infringement.
With this ruling, the Delhi eatery’s name remains legally—and proudly—its own.
