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Laxmi Snacks Pvt. Ltd. v. Akshar Food Products

Civil Appeal · Neutral citation not assigned (Civil Appeal Nos. 702-712 of 2016)Decided 1 Feb 2016
Civil Appeal Nos. 702-712 of 2016
Justice Kurian Joseph · Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman

Background

The appellant company was aggrieved by an order of the Gujarat High Court and approached the Supreme Court over a dispute involving the use of product labels, trade dress, and the overall "getup" of certain snack products against the respondent. On a suggestion from the Court on 4 January 2016, both sides agreed to attempt mediation at the Supreme Court Mediation Centre rather than continue litigating.

Decision Breakdown

The parties successfully reached an amicable settlement, recorded in a Settlement Agreement dated 28 January 2016 and signed by both parties, their counsel, and the mediator, Dr. Aman Hingorani. The Supreme Court disposed of the appeals in terms of this Settlement Agreement, making it part of the Court's order. Consequently, the related civil suits pending before the District Court, Nadiad, Gujarat (Regular Civil Suit Nos. 2 to 12 of 2015) were decreed in line with the settlement, except for the appellant's claims for monetary compensation and exclusive use of the mark "REET" and the tagline "SAB KHAO SABKO KHILAO", which were carved out of the settlement terms. The Court directed its Registry to send a copy of the judgment to the District Court so the suits could be struck off its files, and expressed appreciation for the parties' cooperation in resolving a dispute that could otherwise have dragged on for decades.

Lesson Learnt

Commercial and trademark disputes can often be resolved faster and more amicably through court-referred mediation than through prolonged litigation, and a mediated settlement can be given full legal effect by the Supreme Court as part of its final order.

Official source (sci.gov.in)View Judgment (PDF)

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