Delhi High Court Grants Ex-Parte Injunction Restraining Websites From Infringing NDTV’s Trademark

The Delhi High Court granted an ad-interim ex-parte injunction in favour of NDTV against platforms infringing its trademark and copyright.

The NDTV sought permanent injunction and damages for infringement of trademark, passing off, infringement of copyright, and unfair competition, along with other ancillary reliefs.

The Bench of Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora observed, “Upon perusal of the plaint, documents placed on record, and the arguments advanced by the learned counsel for the Plaintiff, this Court is of the prima facie opinion that Defendants are indulging in unauthorisedly using/promoting deceptively similar variants of the Plaintiff’s trademark ‘NDTV’ and trying to create an impression to the general public that they are connected/associated with the Plaintiff Company.”

Advocate Kripa Pandit represented the Petitioner, while Advocates Yash Raj, Neel Mason, Madhav Khosla, Varun Pathak and Nidhu Raman represented the Defendants.

Case Brief

The NDTV contended that it has used its logo since 2003 in association with its news television and digital journalism services. Further, it was submitted that apart from common law rights derived from its prolonged usage, the NDTV possesses statutory rights to the trademark ‘NDTV’ and its various forms, supported by multiple valid trademark registrations across several classes.

However, in July 2025, the NDTV became aware that Defendants were infringing the NDTV’s copyright and well-known trademark ‘NDTV’ without any authorization or permission. The Defendants were hosting websites/URL’s/social media channels/messaging platforms and communicating with the public using the NDTV’s registered trademarks, thereby misrepresenting themselves as being associated with the Plaintiff.

Court’s Observation

The Delhi High Court was of the opinion that the prima facie the Defendants were indulging in unauthorisedly using/promoting deceptively similar variants of the Plaintiff’s trademark ‘NDTV’ and trying to create an impression to the general public that they are connected/associated with the NDTV.

“In view of the above, the Plaintiff has made out a prima facie case for the grant of ex-parte ad-interim injunction. The balance of convenience also lies in favour of the Plaintiff and the infringing actions of the Defendants, if not restrained, shall cause irreparable harm to the Plaintiff which cannot be compensated in the monetary terms”, the High Court said.

Resultantly, the High Court issued following directions, among others:

1. Restrained the Defendants, including unknown Defendants, from infringing the NDTV’s registered trademark.

2. Directed Google and Youtube to suspend/block/remove thirty-five channels and to disclose the email addresses and other associated information for these channels.

3. Directed Telegram to suspend/block/remove sixteen Telegram Channels and to disclose IP addresses and other associated information for these accounts.

The Court also took into account that the NDTV’S trademark ‘NDTV’ has also been declared as a well-known trademark by the Trade Marks Registry in the Trade Journal. “The NDTV was founded in the year 1988 and has been in the business of news broadcasting and digital journalism since then”, added the Court.

Cause List: New Delhi Television Limited V. Ashok Kumar & Ors.

Appearance:

Petitioner: Advocates Kripa Pandit, Prabhu Tandon, Christopher Thomas

Defendants: Mr. Yash Raj, Ms. Aishwarya Kane, Advocates for D-9 Mr. Neel Mason, Mr. Udit Tewari, Mr. Nikhil Bharti, Advs. for D-16 Mr. Madhav Khosla, Adv. for D-17 Mr. Varun Pathak, Ms. Amee Rana, Mr. Akhil Shandilya, Ms. Charu Sharma, Advocates for D-19 Ms. Nidhi Raman, CGSC with Mr. Om Ram, Adv. for D-20 and D-21

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