Global tech giants OpenAI, X.AI Corp and Google are finding it difficult to secure trademark protection for their flagship artificial intelligence (AI) brands - ChatGPT, Grok and Gemini - in India. Despite their worldwide prominence, the Indian Trade Marks Registry has either flagged their applications or received formal oppositions from domestic entities, citing prior use, confusing similarity and bad faith adoption.
Popular restaurant chain Swagath has moved the Delhi High Court against a Telangana-based hotel named Swagath for trademark infringement [Ms Swagath v Dhanturi Hari Shankar & Anr].
The proprietors of Swagath restaurants have also sought cancellation of their rival’s registered mark.
On July 4, Justice Amit Bansal issued notices in both the infringement suit and the rectification petition.
The case will be considered next on August 27 on the issue of interim relief.
“Let the plaint be registered as a suit... List before the Court on 27th August, 2025 for consideration of the application for interim injunction,” the Court ordered.
Swagath Delhi, a restaurant chain operating in North India has argued that it has acquired goodwill and reputation under the mark ‘SWAGATH'.
The defendant, Hotel Swagath, is a restaurant and hotel chain that has been operating under the name ‘SWAGATH’ since 1991 and currently runs 11 establishments across Telangana.
Earlier, it operated a hotel under the same name in Dubai for three years.
Swagath Delhi was represented by Advocates Hemant Singh, Mamta Rani Jha, Anupriya Shyam and Anjeeta Rani from Inttl Advocare
Hotel Swagath was represented by Senior Advocates Rajshekhar Rao and Resu Mahender Reddy, with Advocates B. Shravanth Shankar, Rohit Bharadwaj, Prerna Robin, Shwetha Bhaskar Dhanturi, Vikas Dhanturi, Resu Kaushik Reddy, Shivnath Sawhney, Julien George, Prerna Robin, Shwetha Bhaskar Dhanturi, Vikas Dhanturi, Anu Parcha and Alka Bisht.
Union of India was represented by Central Government Standing Counsel (CGSC) Nidhi Raman as well as advocates Om Ram and Nikunj Bindal.
Read Infringement Case Order
Read Cancellation Case Order
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has ordered judicial magistrates serving in the State to strictly follow the law laid down by the Supreme Court in Arnesh Kumar and Imran Pratapgadhi cases before remanding a person booked for social media posts.
If the magistrates do not adhere to the decisions of the top court, they may face contempt and departmental inquiry, the High Court said in a circular issued on July 5, Friday.
“All the Judicial Magistrates shall follow the circular instructions scrupulously, and any deviation in this regard will be viewed very seriously. The Judicial Magistrates who violate the circular would render themselves liable for contempt of the High Court besides facing departmental enquiry,” the Court said.
The circular said that it has been brought to the notice of the High Court that law was not being followed by the magistrates before sending the accused for remand.
“Therefore, all the Judicial Magistrates are hereby instructed to satisfy themselves before ordering remand, particularly in cases relating to social media postings/comments that the Investigating Officer complied with the law laid down in `Arnesh Kumar' and 'Imran Pratap Gadhi' cases that the accused had committed repeated and multiple offences, that the accused, if not ordered to be remanded to judicial custody, may influence the witnesses or tamper evidence that the police require custodial investigation,” the Court said.
In the Arnesh Kumar v State of Bihar, the Supreme Court had issued guidelines mandating that police officers must record reasons for arrest in writing and only proceed with arrest if necessary, especially in cases where the punishment is less than seven years of imprisonment.
The apex court had said that the magistrates should not mechanically approve detention and that the failure to adhere to the guidelines would lead to action against both the police officials and the magistrates.
In Imran Pratapgadhi v State of Gujarat, the top court said that before registering an FIR in cases involving free speech, writing or artistic expression (where the offences carry 3-7 years of imprisonment), the police must conduct a preliminary enquiry.
The Supreme Court further said that such an inquiry must be approved by the Deputy Superintendent of Police and concluded within 14 days.
[Read High Court Circular]
After the success of the LawStrings Pickleball Premier League, LawStrings Management has officially announced the launch of the LawStrings Pickleball Cup, India’s first-ever Pickleball tournament exclusively for law firms.
Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, is the official Partner for LawStrings Pickleball Cup. IPA is the official National Sports Federation for pickleball in the country.
Head Pickleball, a leading global manufacturer of sports equipment, is also one of the partners for the tournament along with other leading brands.
Set to be held in August, the LawStrings Pickleball Cup promises to be a one-of-a-kind sporting and networking event, bringing together law firms from across the country in a unique competitive format. Designed to blend sport, strategy, and firm visibility, the tournament aims to foster wellness, camaraderie, and cross-firm engagement within the legal community.
Each participating law firm will compete amongst each other. Every match-up will consist of 5 category matches:
Men’s Doubles
Women’s Doubles
Mixed Doubles
Men Singles
Women Singles
The tournament will be hosted across a premier Pickleball venue in Delhi NCR, with a unique format.
The announcement follows the highly praised LawStrings Pickleball Premier League, which saw enthusiastic participation from lawyers across the industry, where Senior Advocate Sonia Mathur's Smash Squad clinched Gold Cup.
Shubham Malhotra, Founder of LawStrings Management, shared:
“The response to our Premier League made one thing clear, the legal fraternity is ready for something fresh, active, and community-driven. With the LawStrings Pickleball Cup, we’re offering firms a space to compete, connect, and create lasting memories.”
To be part of this exclusive, India’s first-ever, pickleball tournament, dedicated to law firms, visit: LawStrings Pickleball Cup
The Supreme Court recently granted interim relief to one CK Abhurahiman, who has claimed that he has been wrongly accused of issuing a dishonored cheque that was actually issued and signed by another who went by the name, 'CK Abdullakutty' [CK Abdurahiman @ Manu v. Mukkath Marakkar Haji & Anr.].
Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai on Saturday launched live streaming of Bombay High Court proceedings.
The service will be available for hearings/ proceedings before five benches of the High Court.
The first 5 benches selected to mark the beginning of live streaming are:
1. Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep V Marne;
2. Justice R P Mohite-Dere and Justice Dr Neela Kedar Gokhale;
3. Justice M S Sonak and Justice Jitendra Shantilal Jain;
4. Justice Ravindra V Ghuge and Justice M M Sathaye;
5. Justice A S Gadkari and Justice Rajesh S Patil.
Chief Justice Alok Aradhe had earlier revealed that technical arrangements were being made to start live-streaming of court proceedings soon.
Today, CJI Gavai formally launched the live streaming services along with free Wifi and internet facility to be installed in the High Court.
The hearings of Gujarat High Court, Karnataka High Court. Gauhati High Court, Calcutta High Court, Telangana High Court, Orissa High Court and certain other courts are already being live streamed on YouTube.
Certain High Courts also don't restrict public access to their hybrid court links.
The Supreme Court Constitution Bench hearings are also live streamed.
[Read Live Coverage from the ceremony]
