The Delhi High Court has restrained Cartel Bros, a company backed by actor Sanjay Dutt, from launching and promoting its proposed whisky brand under the ‘Glenwalk Godfather’ name, following a trademark infringement suit filed by Devans Modern Breweries.
According to media reports, Devans Modern Breweries alleged that Cartel Bros had adopted the ‘Godfather’ mark, which it claims is a well-established and registered trademark associated with its flagship Godfather beer brand and other alcoholic beverages. The company argued that using the same mark for whisky could amount to trademark infringement and passing off.
After hearing the matter, the court recorded an undertaking from the defendants to defer the commercial launch of the product until the next hearing. It also directed Cartel Bros not to issue any fresh promotional or social media communications related to the ‘Godfather’-branded whisky in the interim.
According to reports, the case centres on Cartel Bros’ proposed whisky brand, ‘The Glenwalk Godfather Whiskey’. Devans has maintained that the ‘Godfather’ trademark enjoys significant goodwill in the Indian market and that the use of an identical mark on a competing alcoholic product could create consumer confusion.
The matter remains pending before the Delhi High Court and will be taken up for further hearing on a later date.
