House Of Masaba Lifestyle Private Limited v. Masabacoutureofficial.Co & Ors

In a significant legal development, the Delhi High Court has granted interim relief to House of Masaba Lifestyle Private Limited in a trademark infringement suit against entities operating under the names "masabacoutureofficial.co" and "masabacouture.in". The court's decision underscores the importance of protecting intellectual property rights in the fashion industry, especially in the digital age where brand identity can be easily misappropriated.

Background of the Case

House of Masaba, founded in 2009 by designer Masaba Gupta, has established itself as a prominent fashion brand in India, offering a diverse range of products including bridal lehengas, jewelry, sarees, gowns, and men's apparel. The brand has garnered a strong reputation for its unique designs and has become a significant player in the fashion industry. To protect its brand identity, House of Masaba has registered trademarks for "Masaba" and "House of Masaba" across various classes since 2010. These trademarks serve as identifiers of the brand's goods and services, distinguishing them from those of competitors.

In early February 2025, House of Masaba discovered Instagram pages operating under the handles "masabacoutureofficial.co" and "masabacouture.in". These accounts were promoting and selling products identical to those offered by House of Masaba, using the "Masaba" mark without authorization. The unauthorized use of the "Masaba" trademark by these entities led to consumer confusion and posed a threat to the brand's reputation and distinctiveness.

Legal Proceedings and Court's Findings

In response to this infringement, House of Masaba filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court, seeking an injunction to restrain the defendants from using the "Masaba" trademark and to have the infringing Instagram accounts taken down. The plaintiff argued that the defendants' actions were malicious and intended to mislead consumers by creating a false association with the House of Masaba brand. This, they contended, was detrimental to the distinctive character and reputation of their registered trademarks.

Justice Amit Bansal, presiding over the case, found merit in the plaintiff's arguments. In his interim order, he stated, "The case set up in the plaint is that the defendants' adoption and use of the impugned trademarks is malafide and dishonest as the defendants are misleading the consumers by drawing association with the plaintiff and the same is detrimental to the distinctive character of the plaintiff's trademark 'MASABA'." The court observed that a prima facie case had been established by the plaintiff, indicating that the balance of convenience was in their favor and that they were likely to suffer irreparable harm if interim relief was not granted.

Court's Directions

Based on these findings, the Delhi High Court issued the following directions:

1. Restraint on Defendants: The defendants, along with their proprietors, partners, principal officers, servants, retailers, agents, and all others acting on their behalf, were restrained from using the trademarks "MASABA" or "MASABA COUTURE", as well as the Instagram handles "masabacoutureofficial.co" and "masabacouture.in", or any other trademark/trade name identical or deceptively similar to the plaintiff's registered trademarks.
2. Action by Instagram: Instagram was directed to take down the infringing handles "masabacoutureofficial.co" and "masabacouture.in". Additionally, Instagram was instructed to provide the complete contact details of the defendants available with them to the plaintiff.

The court issued summons to the defendants and scheduled the next hearing for July 23, 2025.

Implications for Intellectual Property Rights in the Fashion Industry

This case highlights several critical aspects of intellectual property protection in the fashion industry:

1. Significance of Trademark Registration: By registering their trademarks, fashion brands like House of Masaba can establish legal ownership and exclusive rights to use specific marks. This legal foundation is essential for enforcing rights against unauthorized use and infringement.
2. Challenges in the Digital Landscape: The proliferation of social media platforms has made it easier for counterfeiters and infringers to exploit established brands. Unauthorized entities can create accounts and sell counterfeit products, leading to consumer confusion and dilution of the brand's reputation.
3. Judicial Support for Brand Protection: The proactive stance taken by the Delhi High Court demonstrates the judiciary's recognition of the challenges posed by digital platforms in protecting intellectual property rights. The court's willingness to grant interim relief and direct platform operators to take down infringing content is a positive development for brand owners seeking to safeguard their interests.

Conclusion

The interim relief granted to House of Masaba by the Delhi High Court serves as a crucial precedent in the realm of intellectual property rights enforcement within the fashion industry. It emphasizes the necessity for brands to proactively register and protect their trademarks and highlights the judiciary's supportive role in addressing the challenges posed by digital platforms. As the fashion industry continues to evolve, robust legal frameworks and vigilant enforcement mechanisms will be indispensable in safeguarding the creative and commercial interests of designers and brands.