The Delhi High Court has granted an interim injunction to Volvo, restraining Indian bus manufacturers and inter-city bus service companies from using the Swedish company’s trademark and design.
According to media reports, Justice Amit Bansal said that the companies were clearly copying Volvo’s well-known brand in a dishonest way to trick customers and take advantage of Volvo’s reputation. Volvo explained that it has been using its brand since 1915 and that these Indian companies were trying to falsely link themselves with Volvo to benefit from its name.
The Court found that the companies were trying to profit off Volvo’s image by selling over 100 buses with fake Volvo logos. It said this was a clear case of trademark violation and a misuse of Volvo’s rights. If this continued, the Court warned, it could damage Volvo’s brand image.
As a result, the Court agreed that Volvo had a strong case and issued an interim order to stop the companies from making, selling, or advertising buses or services using Volvo’s name or logo.
Accordingly, the Court restrained the defendants from using, manufacturing, marketing, offering for sale, supplying, deploying, displaying, advertising, dealing with buses or any other goods or services bearing the mark Volvo and its grille-slash mark.
