The Bombay High Court has stepped in to protect the ‘NATURAL’ ice cream brand, restraining unidentified individuals and associated entities from misusing its trademarks, copying copyrighted material and cheating people through fraudulent franchise offers.
Justice Madhav J Jamdar granted interim relief to Siddhant Ice Creams LLP, the registered owner of the brand’s family of trademarks, and its master franchisee. The Court found that the company had established a strong prima facie case for protection, considering its longstanding reputation and commercial presence since 1984.
The dispute centres on websites and online communications allegedly designed to impersonate the established ice cream business. The company told the Court that unidentified operators were exploiting the anonymity of the internet to create fake websites, circulate forged letters and send misleading emails to potential franchise investors.
According to the allegations, unsuspecting individuals were being asked to pay money for franchise licences that were not genuine.
The fraudulent websites also allegedly misrepresented the brand’s origins by claiming that an individual named RK Gupta was its founder. The company, however, was established in Juhu, Mumbai, in 1984 by the late Raghunandan Kamath.
While considering the request for urgent protection, the Court took note of the brand’s established goodwill, sales figures and promotional expenditure. Justice Jamdar observed that the alleged misuse of the NATURAL name was intended to capitalise on the company’s substantial market presence.
The interim injunction bars the defendants and their associated entities from using the NATURAL trademark, similar logos or deceptive variations across websites, domain names, email accounts and social media platforms.
The order also prohibits copyright infringement and passing off through the promotion of fraudulent franchise opportunities under the brand’s identity.
The ruling seeks to prevent further misuse of the ice cream company’s reputation while the dispute proceeds. It also provides interim protection against online impersonation that could mislead prospective franchisees and damage consumer trust in the established business.