TAJ Hotels Trademark Now ‘Well-Known’: Delhi High Court Ruling

The Delhi High Court has declared the TAJ trademark, associated with the iconic TAJ luxury hotel chain, as a well-known trademark under the Trade Marks Act, 1999, granting it elevated legal protection even in unrelated industries.

Background

The ruling was delivered by Justice Amit Bansal on March 11, 2025, in a trademark infringement suit filed by Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), part of the Tata Group and owner of the TAJ hotel brand. IHCL alleged that its TAJ trademark was being unlawfully used by certain parties, which could mislead consumers and tarnish its brand reputation.

IHCL sought a permanent injunction against the defendants and a judicial declaration of the TAJ mark as a well-known trademark. The defendants did not contest IHCL’s claims and consented to a decree of permanent injunction.

Court’s Observations

Justice Bansal found that the TAJ marks, given their extensive use, public recognition, and reputation, satisfied the criteria laid down under Section 11(6) and Section 11(7) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, for being recognised as well-known trademarks.

The Court emphasised that unauthorised use of the TAJ mark by the defendants could lead the public to wrongly believe that the defendants’ services were connected to or endorsed by IHCL. This would constitute a clear case of passing off and violation of IHCL’s intellectual property rights.

Key Factors Considered by the Court

1. Duration and Extent of Use: TAJ marks have been in continuous use since 1903, starting with The Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai. IHCL now operates 350+ hotels in 13 countries under brands like TAJ, SeleQtions, Vivanta, and Ginger.
2. Public Recognition: TAJ has received accolades like “India’s Strongest Brand” by Brand Finance in 2020, 2022, and 2023. IHCL submitted historical documents, awards, social media metrics, and financial data to demonstrate its widespread recognition.
3. Promotion and Advertising: TAJ has a significant presence on social media, with millions of followers across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Consistent investment in CSR initiatives, advertisements, and brand promotions was noted by the Court.
4. Trademark Registrations: IHCL holds 100+ trademark registrations for the TAJ mark in India and internationally. The Court noted IHCL’s proactive enforcement of its trademark rights through legal proceedings.
5. Successful Enforcement History: IHCL has a track record of legal victories in protecting the TAJ brand from infringement. The current case, with undisputed evidence and consent from the defendants, further cemented its entitlement.

Court’s Ruling

Based on these factors, the Court held:

“The TAJ marks have achieved the status of well-known trade marks in respect of hotels and other related services in the hospitality industry.”

The Court formally declared the TAJ marks as well-known trademarks under Section 2(1)(sg) of the Trade Marks Act and passed a permanent injunction restraining the defendants from using the TAJ name or any deceptively similar mark.

Significance of the Ruling

With this declaration, IHCL now enjoys heightened legal protection for the TAJ mark, allowing it to act against infringements across sectors, even those unrelated to hospitality. The ruling reinforces the exclusive rights of long-established brands and deters unauthorised use of iconic trademarks.