Metro Brands Wins Trademark Battle for ‘Mochi’ – Bombay High Court Declares it Well-Known

Metro Brands Limited has successfully defended its ‘Mochi’ trademark in a significant legal victory. The Bombay High Court has recognized ‘Mochi’ as a “well-known mark” under the Trademarks Act, following a lawsuit against Nice Shoes LLP for trademark infringement.

Legal Battle Over ‘DesiMochi’:

• Infringement Suit: Metro Brands challenged Nice Shoes LLP over the use of ‘DesiMochi’ for its products, which they argued was too similar to their established ‘Mochi’ brand.
• Court Ruling: The court agreed, determining that ‘DesiMochi’ could confuse consumers and harm the reputation of Mochi, a brand with a legacy in India since 1977.

Domain Transfer: Nice Shoes has been ordered to transfer the domain ‘www.desimochi.com‘ to Metro Brands, ensuring consumers are directed to the authentic brand.

Deepa Sood, Vice President of Legal & Company Secretary at Metro Brands, commented: “We are pleased with the court’s decision, which reaffirms the strength and recognition of the ‘Mochi’ brand in India. The company remains dedicated to protecting our intellectual property, ensuring our customers are not misled by counterfeit or infringing products. We will continue to enforce strong legal measures to safeguard our brand’s integrity and maintain the trust of our customers.”

About Metro Brands:

• History: Founded in 1955 with their first ‘Metro’ store in Mumbai, the company has grown to be a leading name in footwear, offering products for men, women, and children.
• Brands: Apart from Mochi, they manage brands like Walkway, Da Vinchi, Metro, and J Fontini, alongside distributing international labels such as Fila, Crocs, FitFlop, Puma, Adidas, and Skechers in India.

This ruling not only protects the ‘Mochi’ brand but also sets a precedent for trademark protection in India, emphasizing the importance of brand identity in the marketplace.

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