The main legal point established in the judgment is that the defendant's use of a similar business name was covered by the term passing off, causing irreparable loss to the plaintiff.

Heard learned counsel for the parties.

2. By this appeal the defendant-appellant has challenged the order dated 24th March, 2011 passed by the Additional District Judge No. 5, Jaipur Metropolitan, Jaipur in Civil Misc. injunction application No. 9/2011 filed in Civil Suit No. 22/2011 whereby the defendant appellant has been restrained from using the Trade Mark M/s. Shri Tirupati Industries partly or fully or connected name for sale of lentils and grains itself or through its agents.

3. Briefly stated the facts of the case are that the plaintiff respondent has filed a civil suit with the averments that he is running his business of grains and lentils in the name and title of M/s. Tirupati Industries in V.K.I. Area, Jaipur for so many years and this firm was registered on 7th July, 1987 with the Commercial Taxes Department. It was further averrd that M/s. Tirupati Industries is a big name in the production and sale and purchase of grains and lentils but the defendant appellant has started the same business in the name and title of M/s. Shri Tirupati Industries in Chandpole Grain Mandi, Jaipur one year before filing of the civil suit and, therefore, the defendant is taking illegal advantage of credibility of his firm by using same name. Along with the suit the plaintiff respondent also filed an application for grant of temporary injunction.

4. The defendant appellant filed reply to the application stating therein that the defendant is running its business in different area and work of the defendant firm is of a grosser and also dealing in trading of lentils.

5. The trial Court after hearing both the parties came to the conclusion that the plaintiff respondent is doing business of grains and lentils since 7th July, 1987 whereas the defendant firm is doing business since last one year on the date of filing of the suit. Both the firms are doing business in Jaipur and simple business of grosser will not distinguish the business of the plaintiff respondent as the business of lentils is the same which is covered by the term passing off, therefore, there exists a prima facie case in favour of the plaintiff respondent. Both the firms are doing business at Jaipur of the lentils and simple difference of Shri will also cover under the partial or full or synonymous of Tirupati Industries which will cause irreparable loss to the plaintiff and balance of convenience also exists in favour of the plaintiff.

6. Submission of the counsel for the defendant appellant is that the defendant appellant is doing business of general merchant and not doing the business of sale and purchase of lentils in the same area which does not amount taking of advantage of credibility of the plaintiff. However, counsel for the defendant appellant also submits that since the injunction order is causing hardship to the appellant, therefore, the trial Court may be directed to decide the suit within reasonable period.

7. Submission of counsel for the plaintiff respondent is that the trial Court has passed the order in accordance with the provisions of Section 134(c) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and has rightly covered the present case by the term passing off and further both the firms are doing business at Jaipur.

8. I have gone through the memo of appeal and further considered the aforesaid submissions of counsel for the parties.

9. On consideration of the judgment of the trial Court I am of the view that the trial Court has rightly decided issue of prima facie case by considering the fact that the plaintiff respondent is doing business of grains and lentils since 7th July, 1987 whereas the defendant appellant is doing business since last one year on the date of filing of the suit. Both the firms are doing business in Jaipur and simple business of grosser will not distinguish the business of plaintiff respondent as the business of lentils is the same which is covered by the term of passing off as envisaged under Section 134 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and further mere