The Delhi High Court has issued a final decree permanently restraining two Hisar-based coaching operators from utilizing the "CAREER POWER" trademark, the associated device mark, or the name "METIS EDUVANTURES." This ruling concludes a prolonged legal battle initiated by Metis Eduventures Private Limited , which alleged systematic passing off and copyright infringement following the expiration of a franchise agreement . Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, presiding over the matter, emphasized that while some defendants had previously complied with interim orders , the Court required a final, permanent decree to secure the company’s intellectual property against potential future infringement.

The dispute originated from the cessation of a professional relationship between the coaching firm and the operators in Hisar. Metis Eduventures Private Limited , which operates over 70 coaching branches across India providing specialized training for banking and Staff Selection Commission examinations, had originally authorized the defendants to use its proprietary marks under a Brand Licensing and Brand Supply Agreement . This contract, executed on April 1, 2019 , was scheduled for a fixed duration. However, the agreement expired on March 31, 2021 , and the company maintained that no renewal notice was ever issued or accepted.

Despite the lapse of the legal contract, the coaching company alleged that the operators continued to capitalize on the "CAREER POWER" branding, causing significant confusion among prospective students. After a formal cease-and-desist notice issued in June 2022 yielded no response, the company intensified its oversight, discovering active social media pages on platforms like Facebook and Instagram that were marketed as "Career Power Hisar." These digital assets improperly displayed the company’s device mark and redirected traffic to unauthorized websites, prompting the filing of the formal litigation.

Franchise Agreement Breach Sparks Legal Action

The procedural timeline of the case reflects the escalating nature of the conflict. Following the initial filing, the Court granted an interim injunction on December 23, 2022 , to halt the unauthorized use of the brand. This move forced a partial correction in the market; Career Power Coaching Centre Private Limited and one of the partners, Arun Kumar, eventually took down their infringing social media pages and rebranded their operations. This subset of the litigation culminated in a consent decree on April 3, 2025 , wherein the Court directed those specific entities to modify their corporate name to purge any reference to "CAREER POWER" or any confusingly similar identifiers.

However, the legal challenge persisted against the remaining operators, identified as M/s Metis Eduvantures and an individual named Kuldeep. These parties were proceeded against ex parte after failing to submit any written statements to the Court. The legal framework governing commercial suits mandates that defendants file their responses within a strict 120-day window; the failure of these defendants to do so effectively left them without a formal defense.

Ex Parte Judgment Secures Intellectual Property Assets

In his judgment delivered on October 5, 2026 , Justice Kaurav noted that the previous consent decree against the other operators had already solidified the merits of the plaintiff's case. Given that the underlying facts regarding the expired franchise agreement remained uncontested and the plaint was supported by a verified affidavit , the Court deemed it unnecessary to record formal ex parte evidence. The documents submitted by the plaintiff were treated as admitted facts, as the remaining defendants had not provided any evidence to the contrary.

The Court’s decision to move directly to a permanent decree was driven by the necessity of providing the plaintiff with long-term protection. The Court observed that mere temporary compliance with an interim order provided no sufficient guarantee of future adherence. As the Court noted in its written order, “There is nothing on record to assure the Court that the use will not resume once the interim order ceases to operate. In fact, their persistent absence despite service is itself a reason why the plaintiff's rights must be secured by a final decree .”

Addressing Continued Unauthorized Brand Usage

The permanent injunction now prevents the remaining operators from passing off their services as those offered by the original company and prohibits any further use of names that could cause consumer confusion. Beyond the trademark infringement claims, the Court’s order addresses broader concerns regarding unfair competition , brand dilution , and the unauthorized use of artistic and literary works protected under copyright law. The ruling effectively ensures that the company’s brand identity is shielded from any further association with the unauthorized Hisar-based operations.

This final decree effectively closes the loop on the dispute for the named defendants. By finalizing the injunction, the Delhi High Court has underscored the importance of contractual adherence in franchise relationships and the strict consequences of continuing to operate under a brand name after the legal right to do so has expired. The earlier consent decree regarding the other defendants continues to remain in force on its original terms, ensuring a consistent standard of brand protection across all former franchise entities involved in the litigation. The case stands as a reminder of the Court's readiness to bypass redundant evidentiary proceedings when defendants fail to participate in commercial litigation, opting instead to prioritize the swift and permanent protection of a claimant’s intellectual property rights. The matter is now concluded, with the permanent decree serving as the authoritative end to the defendants’ ability to trade upon the "CAREER POWER" reputation.