In a significant ruling for intellectual property rights in the hospitality industry, the Bombay High Court has granted interim relief to Impresario Entertainment and Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., owner of the well-known “Social” chain of pubs and cafés, in a trademark infringement case against a Mumbai-based restaurant operating under the name “Social Tribe.”
Trademark Dispute: Social vs. Social Tribe
The plaintiff, Impresario Entertainment, has alleged that Social Tribe infringed on its well-established “Social” brand by using a deceptively similar name and branding strategy. According to the plaintiff, the use of the word “Social” by the defendant created confusion among customers and diluted the distinctiveness of the original brand.
Impresario’s “Social” brand, first launched in 2001, has since grown into a nationwide hospitality chain with more than 50 outlets and a total turnover exceeding ₹1,500 crore. The company holds over 100 trademark registrations, including protection under Class 43, which covers services in the restaurant and food industry.
High Court Observations and Interim Relief
Justice Sharmila U. Deshmukh, presiding over the case, ruled that Impresario had established a prima facie case of infringement and passing off. The Court concluded that the term “Tribe” added to the word “Social” was not sufficient to distinguish the new establishment from the plaintiff’s brand. It also noted that the use of similar color schemes and marketing themes further increased the risk of consumer deception.
> “A brazen attempt is made by the Defendant to infringe the said trade mark which requires to be restrained,” Justice Deshmukh observed in her order.
The Court emphasized that without interim protection, the plaintiff would suffer irreparable harm, especially given the extensive reputation the “Social” brand has built over the years.
Court Order: Prohibition on Use of ‘Social’ by Defendant
The Bombay High Court has temporarily restrained Social Tribe from using the term “Social” or any confusingly similar variants in their brand name, business operations, advertisements, and marketing materials.
The case is being heard under the title Impresario Entertainment And Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. v. Social Tribe.
Legal Representation
The plaintiff was represented by a legal team consisting of Hiren Kamod, Shikha Sachdeva, Rahul Punjabi, Kranav Kapur, Radhika Arora, and Annie Jacob, under the instructions of Rahul Punjabi.
This news article is based on publicly available information from verified sources and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. All trademarks and brand names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.