Delhi High Court: A suit was filed challenging various domain names and other online media usage of the mark ‘AAJ TAK’, ‘AB TAK’ and various other similar marks/names to that of the Plaintiff’s mark/name ‘AAJ TAK’. Prathiba M Singh, J., decreed the suit against Defendants 1, 2, 4, 9 to 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20 to 25 and 27 to 37 in view of the above status report indicating that the use of the mark ‘AAJ TAK’ has been disabled on all channels, and the domain names have been either suspended, locked or blocked.
The mark ‘AAJ TAK’ has been repeatedly protected in various proceedings. In the present suit, vide order dated 24-09-2020, an ex parte injunction was granted against the use of the domain names www.newsaajtak.co.in, www.aajtaknewsdaily.com, www.newsaajtaklive.com and www.aajtakreport.com. During the pendency of this suit, all the domain names and other instances of infringing use of the Plaintiffs’ mark at the following links has been either removed or disabled.
The Court concluded that as per the status report dated 20-11-2023, the use of the mark ‘AAJ TAK’ has been disabled on all channels, and the domain names have been either suspended, locked or blocked, the suit shall stand decreed against the Defendant 1, 2, 4, 9 to 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20 to 25 and 27 to 37. The said Defendants are permanently restraining from using the mark ‘AAJ TAK’ or any other deceptively similar or identical mark, in any manner whatsoever for media, news, entertainment, or any other similar services. Insofar as the DNRs are concerned, the DNRs/the platforms including YouTube and Facebook shall continue keeping the infringing account disabled.
[Living Media India Limited v www.news-aajtak.co.in, 2023 SCC OnLine Del 7368, decided on 20-11-2023]
Advocates who appeared in this case :
Mr. Rahul Beruar, Ms. Jyotsana Sinha, Advocate for plaintiff
Ms. Shweta Sahu, Mr. Alipak Banerjee & Mr. Brijesh Ujjainwal, Advs. for D-3
