The Delhi High Court has issued an ad interim injunction against Goldenstuff and Beverages Private Limited and five associated defendants, effectively barring the company from manufacturing, marketing, or selling soft drinks under packaging that mirrors the established trade dress of Archian Foods Private Limited. The order, delivered by Justice Vikas Mahajan, serves as a significant intervention in a growing trademark and design dispute involving the popular “Lahori Zeera” range of beverages. The court’s decision mandates an immediate halt to the use of specific bottle shapes, colour schemes, and label designs that the plaintiff argues were calculated to deceive consumers and erode the market equity developed since 2015.

This development marks a critical juncture in the ongoing litigation, highlighting the judicial approach toward safeguarding the intellectual property of established market players against newer entrants who adopt similar branding strategies. By granting the interim protection, the court has signaled a stern stance against commercial practices that rely on the visual mimicry of competitors to capture market share.

A Market Battle for Brand Identity

Archian Foods introduced its Lahori Zeera drink to the market nearly a decade ago, building a brand identity defined by a specific green, yellow, and white label design. The product is also heavily associated with distinctive marketing taglines, most notably “DESI HI CHANGA” and “APNA DESI THANDA.” Over the years, the company has invested significant resources into establishing its brand presence through advertising and distribution, achieving a substantial turnover that formed the basis of its claim for equitable protection.

The dispute reached the High Court after Archian Foods alleged that Goldenstuff and Beverages, a company that reportedly began operations in January 2026, had launched a range of competing carbonated soft drinks under the names “Indian Zeera,” “Indian Nimboo,” “Indian Mojito,” and “Indian Shikanji.” According to the legal submissions, these products did more than simply compete in the same flavor category; they allegedly replicated the essential aesthetic components of the Lahori Zeera brand. Archian Foods pointed to a comprehensive list of similarities, including the layout of the label, the placement of specific fruit and spice imagery, the stylised lettering style, and even the design of the bottle cap.

The plaintiff further contended that the defendants’ activities were not limited to the physical product but extended to the digital realm, specifically citing similarities in website branding and social media promotional materials. With the defendants currently seeking to register “INDIAN ZEERA” under Class 32, Archian Foods sought urgent judicial intervention to prevent further dilution of its brand until the suit could be fully adjudicated.

Visual Similarities Fuel Deception Allegations

In determining the need for an injunction, the court closely scrutinized the visual evidence presented by both parties. Justice Mahajan’s order underscored that the primary concern in such trademark and trade dress matters is the potential for consumer confusion. The court observed that the defendants’ adoption of features—such as the bottle shape, the multi-colored borders, and the strategic placement of cumin and lemon graphics—was not merely coincidental but pointed toward a broader pattern of imitation.

The Bench characterized the defendants' conduct in strong terms, noting that “the adoption of identical or deceptively similar logo/trade dress/colour scheme/shape of the bottle is ex facie mala fide.” By contrasting the standing of the two companies, the court emphasized that the defendants were new entrants attempting to benefit from the goodwill of an established player. This finding of prima facie bad faith served as the cornerstone for the decision to prevent the defendants from continuing their current operations under the disputed branding.

The injunction is expansive in its scope, covering not only the specific bottle labels but also the associated taglines such as “APNA DESI THANDA” and “HAR KOI PEERA LAHORI ZEERA.” It also prohibits the use of the domain name LAHORIZEERA.COM and the specific registered bottle design held by Archian Foods. The court’s order effectively freezes the defendants' ability to distribute any products that could be perceived as an imitation of the plaintiff's established trade dress.

Judicial Intervention and Scope of Protection

While the court was firm in protecting the specific design and trade dress elements of the Lahori Zeera range, it exercised caution regarding the broader request to restrict the use of the word “Indian” in the defendants' product names. Archian Foods had asked the court to bar the defendants from using the word “Indian” entirely, a request the court deferred for future consideration. Justice Mahajan noted that the decision on the use of this specific term would be revisited once the parties have finalized their pleadings and the court has had the opportunity to examine further submissions. This careful balancing act ensures that the immediate harm to the plaintiff’s trade dress is addressed, while allowing a more thorough exploration of the broader trademark claims regarding descriptive or generic terminology.

The court’s order establishes a clear boundary for the defendants, mandating that they must immediately cease any activity involving the manufacturing, selling, advertising, or exporting of beverages under the prohibited logos and labels. This interim protection is intended to remain in effect until the court reaches a final determination on the permanent injunction.

The legal community is closely watching this case as a barometer for how courts interpret the nuances of trade dress in the fast-moving consumer goods sector. The decision reaffirms that even where companies operate in the same market, the legal system will uphold the unique branding identity of a company that has successfully established goodwill over time. As the proceedings move into the next phase, the spotlight will turn to the defendants' response and the eventual substantive hearing regarding the trademark registration applications.

The matter is currently scheduled to return before the Joint Registrar on 4 December 2026, followed by a court hearing on 3 February 2027. These future dates will be pivotal in determining whether the temporary relief granted to Archian Foods will be made permanent and how the remaining disputes regarding the product names will be resolved. For now, the injunction serves as a definitive protective measure, ensuring that the visual equity of the Lahori Zeera range remains shielded from what the court has preliminarily termed deceptive commercial practices.