The battle over toothpaste packaging has landed in the Delhi High Court, with Colgate-Palmolive accusing Chinese imports of copying its signature red-and-blue trade dress.
According to Colgate, toothbrushes and toothpastes branded as Doctor Good were arriving at Mundra Port dressed in packaging strikingly similar to its own. Alarmed by the alleged imitation, the company rushed to court, asking for a permanent block on the sale of these goods in India.
On reviewing the photographs placed before it, Justice Tejas Karia noted that the resemblance was hard to ignore — same product category, same consumer base, and packaging close enough to confuse shoppers. The Court warned that such mimicry could erode Colgate’s hard-earned reputation.
Yet, the judge stopped short of issuing an immediate injunction. Instead, he directed Customs at Mundra to crack open two specific boxes — labeled ASB026 and ASB027 inside Container No. IAAU1891912 — to see whether they indeed contain the suspect products. The inspection must take place in the presence of Colgate’s representatives, and the goods are to remain detained in the warehouse until further orders.
Customs has now been ordered to file a sealed report within two weeks, complete with photographs, details of origin, exporter, consignee, and the exact quantity of goods.
The matter is set to return to court on October 29, when the findings will be scrutinized.