Madras HC orders cancellation of ‘THINBOOK’ Trademark, protecting Lenovo’s ‘THINK’ family of marks [Read Judgment]

Madras: The Madras High Court has delivered a significant judgment, directing the Registrar of Trademarks to cancel the registration of the ‘THINBOOK’ trademark, thereby protecting Lenovo’s established ‘THINK’ family of marks.

Madras HC Safeguards Lenovo’s ‘THINK’ Brand: ‘THINBOOK’ Trademark Cancelled

Justice Abdul Quddhose presided over the case filed by Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. against RPD Workstations Private Limited, Hyderabad, seeking the cancellation of the latter’s ‘THINBOOK’ trademark registration.

The court noted, “The petitioner’s THINK family of marks are for their laptops, notebooks, iPads, etc., and they are exclusively associated only with the petitioner and no one else. It is surprising as to how the second respondent granted registration under Class 9 bearing No. 3558396 in favor of the first respondent.”

Trademark Dispute: Court Protects Lenovo’s Global Reputation Against Phonetic Similarity

Examining Lenovo’s credentials, the court observed, “They have been using the THINK family of marks since 1992 in India and internationally since 1920. They have also obtained registration for their THINK family of marks in India.”

Addressing the potential for confusion, the court stated, “The public would certainly think that, since the mark ‘THINBOOK’ is phonetically similar to the petitioner’s THINK family of marks, the said mark ‘THINBOOK’ also belongs to the petitioner.”

The court emphasized the importance of protecting established brands, noting, “Being a global leader in the manufacture and sale of laptops, notebooks, iPads, etc., their reputation should not be tarnished by a small-time player, namely the first respondent, who has copied the petitioner’s trademark.”

In its final order, the court directed the Registrar of Trademarks to cancel the ‘THINBOOK’ mark bearing No. 3558396 in Class 9 and remove it from the Register of Trademarks within four weeks from the date of receipt of the order.

Mr. Ramesh Ganapathy appeared for the petitioner (Lenovo).
Mr. S. Janarthanam, SPCGSC, appeared for the Registrar of Trademarks.

Case title: LENOVO (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. vs. RPD Workstations Private Limited and Another

[Read Judgment]