‘Deserved protection of his name’: Delhi HC bars unauthorised use of ‘Tata’ name, trademark, & Ratan Tata’s image

Noting that Tata is a well-known trademark and the late Ratan Tata is a prominent figure who deserved protection of his name, the Delhi High Court on Friday restrained journalist Rajat Srivastava, founder of the Delhi Today Group, and others from using the registered trademark “Tata”, the name “Tata Trust“, and the late Tata Sons chairman emeritus Ratan Naval Tata’s name or photograph in any form.“Ratan Tata is a well-known figure and his name is liable to be protected and cannot be used by a third party without consent,” Justice Mini Pushkarna said, while passing the order on a joint petition filed by Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Tata Sons.

The companies alleged that Srivastava was planning an event called “Ratan Tata National Icon Award 2025” and “India Visionary Leaders Summit 2025” on February 10 in the Capital, giving the impression that this was supported and endorsed by the Tata Group.

“The defendants, with dishonesty and malafides, came up with misleading posts about the aforesaid event on its social media accounts such as Facebook, Instagram and Linkedln,” senior counsel Rajiv Nayyar, assisted by counsel Sauran Seth, argued.

“This is a clear case of fraud where the defendants are blatantly misusing the plaintiffs’ registered marks to defraud the public into paying them nomination fee,” they argued

While passing a decree in favour of Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Tata Sons, Justice Pushkarna directed Srivastava and his company Yuci Mentors to undertake in two days that they will not use registered trademarks of the Tatas and the name and photographs of the late Ratan Tata in any form, including for conferring any award.The HC will hear the case next on Wednesday to peruse the affidavit filed by the respondents.However, Srivastava’s counsel told the HC that the social media post for the event had been taken down, and the event had been cancelled after they received objections from the Tata group.

Alleging unauthorised use of their trademarks, logos and Ratan Tata’s name and image, Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Tata Sons had in December come to know about the name of Ratan Tata being used to host ‘Ratan Tata National Icon Award 2024.’ Srivastava had circulated posts on social media and their website about the event and was charging a nomination fee of Rs 3,000 from the Indian applicants and $100 from international applicants for the event. He also claimed having association with the Tata Trusts, Tata Group, and Ratan Tata, the Tata companies stated in their joint petition.

Later, the Tata group issued a takedown notice to Srivastava, asking him to remove the posts on his website and social media accounts and stop using its registered trademark Tata, the name and logos of the Tata Trusts, and the personal name of Ratan Tata.

In January, the Tata group again came across fresh posts of the event by Srivastava and had also released a list of awardees to be honoured at the event.

They argued that the infringing activities of Srivastava have forced the gullible members of the public to believe that the events were being sponsored by the two Tata firms or are associated with the award. This can be seen from social media accounts where the person who has been allegedly honoured by Srivastava is thanking the latter by stating “Deepest thanks to the Tata Trust for this incredible honor,” the petition stated.

The group had also sought damages of around Rs 2 crore for the harm caused to their reputation and goodwill.