The Kolkata-based biscuits maker adopted the ‘Star Gold’ mark for one of its products in 2005. Parle recently launched a new biscuit product under ‘Top Gold Star’. The Calcutta High Court in July restrained Parle from selling and marketing their product under ‘Top Gold Star’ brand name until August 27, 2024.
“This Court finds that the petitioner has made out a prima facie case and balance of convenience and inconvenience is in favour of the petitioner. This Court also finds that if at this stage ad interim order is not passed, the business of the petitioner will suffer irreparable loss and injury as the respondent using the mark of the plaintiff TOP GOLD and TOP GOLDSTAR identical to the mark of the petitioner,” the HC order read.
The case will next be heard on August 27.
The court has allowed Parle to use the branding ‘Top’ without using the word ‘Gold’ along with ‘Top’.
“We are determined to protect our intellectual property rights and brand integrity which has been carefully built over two decades by our late founder Mr K.D.Paul. We are thankful to the honourable court for issuing an ex-parte protective order against this action of trademark infringement by Parle,” said Vijay Singh, Managing Director, Bisk Farm.The company closed FY23 with a top line of Rs 2,100 crore from which it earned Rs 200 crore in net income.SAJ Food, founded by a Bengali entrepreneur Krishnadas Paul in 2000 when he was 60 and passed away in 2020 during the first wave of the pandemic, is now being run by his son Arpan Paul, who is the Executive Chairman and son-in-law Vijay Singh who is the Managing Director.
While primarily into biscuits, the company also has a snacks portfolio apart from cakes, cookies and rusk.
