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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI
C. Hari Shankar, J.
Bals Elektrotechnik Gmbh & Co. KG - Appellant
Versus
Tarun Kharbanda - Respondent
CS(COMM) 179 of 2020 & I.A. 10409 of 2021
Decided On : 18-08-2021




Parties can resolve trademark disputes amicably through settlement, outlining mutual rights and obligations, which the court recognizes and enforces, avoiding litigation.

Headnote:(A) Trade Marks Act, 1999 - Settlement of disputes in trademark infringement cases - Amicable resolution reached between parties with mutual acknowledgment of rights and obligations. (Paras 1-4)

(B) Undertakings by Defendants - Acknowledgement of trademark rights, prohibition on use of impugned marks, and transfer of rights detailed in settlement terms. (Paras 2(i) - 2(vii))

(C) Damages - Defendants to pay Rs.4,50,000/- to Plaintiff as damages and Rs.10,00,000/- as liquidated damages on breach of undertakings. (Paras 2(vi) - 2(vii))

Facts of the case:
The Plaintiff and Defendants reached an amicable settlement of trademark disputes, wherein the Defendants acknowledged that the Plaintiff holds exclusive rights over Bals Trademarks and agreed to cease using similar marks.

Findings of Court:
The court acknowledged the amicable settlement and ordered disposal of the suit based on the agreed terms, directing the drafting of a decree sheet.

Issues: Whether the terms of settlement satisfactorily resolve the dispute and ensure compliance with trademark laws.

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that since both parties voluntarily entered into a settlement acknowledging rights and obligations without coercion, the suit is disposed of accordingly.

Result: Suit disposed of in terms of the settlement.

Table of Content
1. amicable settlement terms between parties (Para 1 , 2)
2. court recognition of legal settlement and no further adjudication (Para 3 , 4)
3. issuance of decree and court fee refund (Para 5 , 6 , 7)

ORDER (Oral)

(Video-Conferencing)

I.A. 10409/2021 & CS(COMM) 179/2020

1. The dispute between the parties stands amicably resolved.

2. The terms of settlement, as contained in the various sub-paras of para 2 of the application, reads thus:

    "2. It is submitted that the Plaintiff and the Defendants herein, have arrived at a consensus for amicable settlement of all disputes between them, on the terms and conditions as detailed herein below:

    i. The Defendants hereby acknowledge that all rights, title, interest and goodwill in the Bals Trademarks including variants thereof, belong exclusively to the Plaintiff. Furthermore, since the impugned marks "J-Bals" and are deceptively similar to the Plaintiffs Bals Trademarks, the Defendants have no rights, title or interest in the said impugned marks.

    ii. The Defendants hereby unequivocally undertake before this Hon'ble Court that henceforth, they, including their partners, legal heirs, successors, representatives and assigns in business, or receivers and liquidators shall not deal in or use in any manner whatsoever, or offer for sale or manufacture any product bearing any of the impugned marks or any mark visually, phonetically, or structurally identical or deceptively similar and or claim any right in the Plaintiffs "Bals" Trademarks as elaborated in the captioned suit, so as to avoid any intentional and or unintentional passing off their own goods as that of the Plaintiff and infringement of the Plaintiffs registered trade mark nos. 4298497, 4298498, and 4298499.

    iii. The Defendants undertake to deliver up all articles, materials and goods, if any, in their possession, bearing the impugned marks, to the representatives of the Plaintiff within a period of 15 days from the date of final order of this Hon'ble Court in the present matter.

    iv. The Defendant No. 1 undertakes to transfer in perpetuity, all rights, titles and interests in the registered trade mark J-BALS, bearing trade mark application number 2062508, to the Plaintiff. For the said purpose, the Defendant No. 1 undertakes to sign or file appropriate application/affidavit/pleadings/assignment deed or any other necessary documents that may be necessary, before the Trade Marks Registry within a period of 15 days from today and before passing the final order by this Hon'ble Court in the present matter. In order to avoid any unnecessary confusion or ambiguity, copies of the specimen affidavits and or applications required to be signed by the Defendants as stated in the present paragraph have been annexed herewith and marked as Documents A(COLLY).

    v. The Defendants have already issued necessary instructions to the domain name provider to discontinue the said domain name by the name and style of http://jbalsindia.com/and moreover undertake to not use the same in future. For the said purpose, the Defendants undertake to take all necessary steps or sign, or file appropriate application/document as may be necessary, within a period of 15 days from today and before passing the final order by this Hon'ble Court in the present matter. In order to avoid any unnecessary confusion or ambiguity, copies of the specimen affidavits and or applications required to be signed by the Defendants as stated in the present paragraph have been annexed herewith and marked as Document B (COLLY)

    vi. As part of the settlement, the Defendants have paid a consolidated sum of Rs.4,50,000/- (Rupees four lakh fifty thousand only) to the Plaintiff as damages and costs, via bank transfer on 13th July 2021.

    vii. The Defendants hereby undertake to pay to the Plaintiff an amount of Rs.10,00,000/- (Rupees ten lakh only) as liquidated damages, in case of any breach of the aforesaid undertakings given by the Defendants. In such event, the Plaintiff shall also ha

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