Delhi High Court Settles “CELEBRATIONS” Trademark Dispute Between Mars And Cadbury [Read Order]

New Delhi: Bringing an amicable close to a decades-long global rivalry, the Delhi High Court has decreed the trademark dispute between confectionery giants Mars Incorporated and Cadbury (India) Ltd. in terms of a joint settlement.

Justice Sanjeev Narula passed the order in CS (COMM) 409/2018, recording the mutual agreement between the parties and decreeing the suit accordingly. The long-standing contest centered on the trademark “CELEBRATIONS,” which both companies had used for their confectionery products for nearly twenty-five years.

The settlement, formalized through a joint application under Order XXIII Rule 3 read with Section 151 CPC, records that both sides have withdrawn all opposition and rectification proceedings pending before the Trade Marks Registry concerning the “CELEBRATIONS” mark. The court observed that the terms were lawful, voluntary, and represented a full and final resolution of all related disputes.

In a gesture symbolizing goodwill and the true spirit of the mark, both Mars and Cadbury voluntarily undertook to distribute confectionery products worth ₹5 lakh each to schoolchildren across Delhi ahead of Diwali. The court appreciated the initiative, noting that it reflected “the joy of giving—a spirit that transcends commercial rivalry.”

Justice Narula remarked that the case’s conclusion serves as a reminder that “even the most protracted disputes can find resolution when goodwill prevails,” adding that the word ‘CELEBRATIONS’ now denotes “joy that is shared and not divided.”

The High Court directed coordination with the Directorate of Education, GNCTD, and the Delhi State Legal Services Authority to oversee the distribution, ensuring compliance and adherence to health standards.

Case Title: Mars Incorporated vs. Cadbury (India) Ltd. & Ors.

[Read Order]