BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION vs M/S. MERLIN RUBBER

Judgment text excerpt

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Judgment Reserved on: 18th February 2025 Judgment Pronounced on: 25th March, 2025 + CS(COMM) 254/2023 and I.A. 8154-55/2023 BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION .....Plaintiff Through: Mr. Dhruv Anand, Ms. Udita Patro, Ms. Sampurna Sanyal, Advocates. versus M/S. MERLIN RUBBER .....Defendant Through: None. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMIT BANSAL JUDGMENT AMIT BANSAL, J. 1. The present suit has been filed seeking relief of permanent injunction restraining the defendant from infringing the trademark of the plaintiff, along with passing off and other ancillary reliefs. CASE SET UP BY THE PLAINTIFF 2. The plaintiff, ‘Bridgestone Corporation’, is a company incorporated under the laws of Japan. The plaintiff was established in 1931 by Shojiro Ishibashi and is engaged in inter-alia manufacture and sale of tyres and tubes for automobiles, materials of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, synthetic resins, machines for prevention of environment pollution, materials for public works and marine structures etc., under the trade mark and name ‘BRIDGESTONE’. Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed CS(COMM) 254/2023 Page 1 of 21 By:KOMAL DHAWAN Signing Date:25.03.2025 12:14:41 3. Since its establishment in 1931, the plaintiff has expanded its business significantly and now maintains a strong international presence, selling its products in over 150 countries worldwide. The plaintiff also operates over 228 manufacturing plants in over 26 countries and has a workforce of approximately 1,44,000 employees. Over time, the plaintiff has achieved undisputed market leadership and is one of the largest manufacturers of tyres and rubber products in the world today. 4. The plaintiff's innovation and marketing excellence has been recognized through numerous prestigious aw