In a dramatic turn of events, the Bombay High Court has slapped Premier Stationery Industries Pvt. Ltd. and its affiliates with a hefty ₹50 lakh fine for defying a court order that safeguarded the Fevicol MR trademark, a crown jewel of Pidilite Industries.
This legal battle stems from a lawsuit initiated by Pidilite against a stationery firm—later absorbed by Premier Stationery—over allegations of trademark infringement. Pidilite claimed that the company had blatantly mimicked the iconic Fevicol packaging and branding for their own glue products.
The court had previously granted a permanent injunction in Pidilite’s favor on July 13, 2017, following a consent agreement that prohibited the infringing packaging. Despite this, Premier Stationery, having acquired the infringing company later in 2017, resurrected the contested packaging in August 2020, prompting Pidilite to seek contempt proceedings.
Premier Stationery’s defense—that they weren’t bound by the prior court orders since the acquisition occurred post-ruling—was swiftly dismissed by Justice RI Chagla. The judge emphasized that contempt jurisdiction transcends the rights of the involved parties, especially when the court’s orders are willfully disregarded.
The court lambasted Premier Stationery not only for their violation but also for their blatant lack of remorse. “The Respondents have failed to offer any apology, let alone an unconditional apology… strict action ought to be taken against the Respondents for their malafide conduct,” the court declared.
Beyond the financial blow, the court ordered Premier Stationery to immediately halt the use of the infringing packaging and to destroy all remaining products. The judge warned that continued defiance could result in severe legal consequences, including potential civil imprisonment.
The legal teams in the spotlight included Khaitan and Co., representing Pidilite, and a group of advocates representing Premier Stationery. This case serves as a stark reminder of the judiciary’s resolve to protect intellectual property rights and enforce its orders with an iron fist.
