HC suspends use of 'Good King' brand name by Bharat Chemical

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court has temporarily barred Bharat Chemical Products from selling mosquito repellents under the brand name ‘ Good King’, saying the name and packaging of products under it appear similar to Godrej Consumer Products’ ‘ Good Knight’ range of mosquito repellents.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Mumbai-based Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL) that Bharat Chemical’s use of the name ‘Good King’ amounted to trademark infringement and that it was confusing consumers.

In its plea filed earlier this year, Godrej had also sought court intervention to stop the respondent from passing off its goods as that of Godrej’s. “Prima facie, the rival marks ‘Good Knight’ and ‘Good King’ are deceptively similar,” Justice SJ Kathawala said.

“A bare look at the specimen of the plaintiff ’s packaging and of the defendant’s impugned packaging suggests that the defendant has deliberately and intentionally copied the plaintiff ’s well-known trade mark ‘Good Knight’ and artistic style and manner of representation of its packaging.”

The order, passed last week, said Bharat Chemical cannot use the ‘Good King’ brand name and sell products under it until the court issues a final order. GCPL and Bangalore-based Bharat Chemical did not respond to ET’s email queries on the development. However, WS Kane & Co’s Himanshu Kane, Godrej’s counsel in the matter, confirmed the development.

According to GCPL, it has been using the ‘Good Knight’ mark since 1984. Bharat Chemical, which recently launched products under the brand name ‘Good King’, has two other mosquito repellent brands, Sun and Shakti. On Wednesday, its shares closed 1.1% lower on the Bombay Stock Exchange at Rs796.