News
Commercial Transaction must for Court’s jurisdiction in passing off
13 February 2018
For the purpose of invoking jurisdiction of a court in a passing off action, the plaintiff is required to plead and establish that there has been a Commercial Transaction within the jurisdiction of that Court which amounts to passing-off.
Patent infringement - Technical expert allowed during cross-examination
12 February 2018
Delhi High Court has allowed defendant’s interim application regarding presence of his technical expert during cross-examination of plaintiff’s witness, an expert himself. The plaintiff had relied upon Chapter XIII Rule 4 of the Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 1967 according to which witnesses were not to be present in the Court during hearing of the suit.
Budget 2018 - Key Changes for Corporate Sector in India
05 February 2018
The Finance Minister of India, made the budget speech for the Financial Year 2018-2019 and presented the Finance Bill, 2018 on February 1, 2018.
Review of FDI Policy on various sectors
03 February 2018
Union Cabinet recently approved changes in the Foreign Direct Investment Policy (“FDI Policy”) allowing further liberalisation with a view to promote and provide ease of doing business in the country. On January 23, 2018, the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion notified the amendments by way of Press Note No. 1 (2018 Series). These amendments will come into effect from the date of the FEMA notification in this regard.
25th meeting of GST Council – Certain highlights
22 January 2018
GST Council met for the 25th time on 18-1-2018 in New Delhi. Number of decisions, including reduction in GST rates for around 29 goods and 53 services were taken while also recommending reduction of late fees payable on delayed filing of certain returns. Some procedural relaxations in respect of cancellation of registration have also been proposed.
Protection of generic word bestowed with greater degree of burden of proof
08 January 2018
The Delhi High Court in a case of trademark infringement and passing off has rejected the contention for protection of a generic word ‘AYUR’ as trademark. The plaintiff had contended that the word ‘Ayur’ is invented by them and it has no meaning whatsoever. They also pleaded that because of its extensive use it has acquired distinctness and is identifiable only with their goods.
Government need not consult DTAB to prohibit manufacture of drug/cosmetic
06 January 2018
Supreme Court of India has held that it is not mandatory for the Central Government to hold prior consultations with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, for exercise of power under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
No infringement on selling of replacement parts of complex product: CJEU
04 January 2018
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has rejected the contention of various car manufacturers that Article 110(1) of the EU Regulation No. 6/2002 would not cover alloy car wheel rims.
IRDAI (Investment by PE Funds in Indian Insurance Companies) Guidelines
03 January 2018
IRDAI has issued certain guidelines with respect to investment in insurance companies either as an investor or as a promoter. These Guidelines provide clarity as they set out a regulatory framework that will now apply, and which will enable increased flow of Foreign Direct Investment into the country and will also unleash a new era for formation of new-age insurance companies that will lead to deeper penetration and growth of the insurance industry.
Highlights of 11th Ministerial Conference held in Buenos Aires
02 January 2018
The 11th Ministerial Conference (“MC’11”) was flagged off on 10 December, 2017 at Buenos Aires, Argentina. MC’11 has been held at a time when the Trade Facilitation Agreement has entered into force mandating (for the first time ever) a revision of the WTO Rule Book, the WTO Members have eliminated agricultural export subsidies, adopted measures to support LDCs (especially with respect to cotton trade) and expanded the Information Technology Agreement to eliminate substantial tariffs on trade.