Bengaluru Restaurant Forced to Drop ‘Carnatic’ Branding After Delhi Court Verdict

The legal battle over the “Carnatic” brand name, which began in 2019, reached a decisive conclusion when the Saket district court in Delhi ruled in favor of Carnatic Cafe, a prominent South Indian restaurant chain founded by Pavan Jambagi. The court found Bengaluru’s Lemonpepper Hospitality Pvt Ltd guilty of infringing Carnatic Cafe’s registered trademark by operating under the similar name “Carnatic” and using a nearly identical domain name.

District Judge Neelam Singh issued a permanent injunction barring Lemonpepper and all related parties from using “Carnatic” or any deceptively similar marks for restaurant-related services. The Bengaluru restaurant must also transfer its domain, www.carnaticrestaurant.com, to Carnatic Cafe within a month.

The court highlighted that Lemonpepper failed to challenge the claims legally, leading to a default judgment. Carnatic Cafe was awarded ₹50,000 in damages and ₹10,000 in legal costs for harm caused to its goodwill and reputation.

This verdict sends a strong message about respecting trademark rights in India’s expanding food and hospitality sector, ensuring brand authenticity and customer clarity in a competitive market.

Key Highlights:

Delhi court upholds Carnatic Cafe’s trademark rights since 2012.

Bengaluru’s Lemonpepper Hospitality permanently barred from using “Carnatic” name.

Court orders transfer of disputed domain name to Carnatic Cafe.

₹50,000 damages and ₹10,000 legal costs awarded to Carnatic Cafe.

Lemonpepper failed to respond legally, leading to default judgment.

Verdict reinforces importance of trademark protection in Indian food industry.

Case highlights growing brand awareness and competitive challenges.

Sources: Times Now News, Financial Express, LiveLaw, NDTV, News18, Economic Times