The Delhi High Court today asked Bisleri International not to sell its mango-flavoured soft drink under the trade name ‘Maaza’ in India.
Giving its verdict over a petition filed by beverage makers Coca-Cola, Justice Manmohan Singh directed Bisleri not to use the Maaza trademark in India. Bisleri (formerly Golden Agro) had sold the Maaza trademark to Coca-Cola for use in Indian market, but had reserved the right for overseas markets.
However, Coca-Cola had alleged Bisleri had continued to use the trademark in Indian markets through dummy firms. Both companies have been fighting a legal battle over international rights of the Maaza brand for several years, with Bisleri accusing Coca-Cola of registering the ‘Maaza’ trademark outside India. Bisleri Chairman Ramesh Chauhan had accused Coca-Cola of ‘stealing’ the IPR of Maaza and infringing an agreement dating back to 1993 and 1994 signed between the Coca-Cola Company and Aqua Minerals, now Bisleri.
