The Delhi High Court has imposed costs of Rs 10 lakh on Parle Agro for failing to disclose its sales and revenue figures in an ongoing trademark dispute with PepsiCo over the use of the tagline “For The Bold.”
As per reports, the matter was heard by Justice Amit Bansal, who noted that despite earlier directions, Parle Agro had not placed on record details of revenue generated from its “B Fizz” product associated with the disputed tagline. Taking a strict view of the non-compliance, the Court imposed costs and directed the company to file the requisite disclosures.
Senior Advocate Amit Sibal, appearing for PepsiCo, along with advocates Sandeep Sethi, Pravin Anand, and Dhruv Anand, argued that disclosure of sales figures was essential to assess the extent of alleged infringement and damages. They contended that Parle Agro’s failure to provide financial details was obstructing the adjudication of the case.
On the other hand, Senior Advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, representing Parle Agro, along with a team of lawyers, submitted that the company would comply with the Court’s directions and furnish the required data.
Media reports suggest that the dispute centres around PepsiCo’s registered trademark “For The Bold,” prominently used for its Doritos brand, and Parle Agro’s alleged use of a similar tagline for its “B Fizz” beverage. The Court emphasised that transparency in financial disclosures is critical in intellectual property matters, particularly when claims for damages and commercial impact are involved.
The case will continue to be heard as the Court examines issues of trademark infringement, usage, and compliance with procedural directions.
