The Supreme Court has appointed former Justice L. Nageswara Rao to mediate the trademark dispute between Allied Blenders and Distilleries Pvt. Ltd. and John Distilleries Pvt. Ltd. The bitter legal fight over the brands ‘Officer’s Choice’ and ‘Original Choice’ is now steered towards an amicable settlement.
In a landmark development, the Supreme Court of India has stepped in to mediate the contentious trademark dispute between major liquor manufacturers Allied Blenders and Distilleries Pvt. Ltd., maker of ‘Officer’s Choice’, and John Distilleries Pvt. Ltd., producer of ‘Original Choice’ whisky. The dispute hinges on allegations of trademark infringement and deceptive similarity between the two brands.
The Madras High Court had ruled in favor of Allied Blenders, ordering the removal of John Distilleries’ ‘Original Choice’ trademark from the registry, citing the likelihood of consumer confusion. However, John Distilleries challenged this decision, prompting the Supreme Court to refer the matter to mediation by former Supreme Court judge Justice L. Nageswara Rao.
The mediation aims to find an amicable resolution that balances business interests, mitigates prolonged litigation, and considers broader public interest around liquor branding and packaging, including tetra packs. Key legal experts from both sides including senior advocates are engaged in the process.
The Court has scheduled further hearings to review the mediation progress, emphasizing a pragmatic approach to resolve this long-standing legal battle responsibly.
Key Highlights
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Supreme Court appoints former Justice L. Nageswara Rao to mediate trademark dispute.
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Dispute concerns Allied Blenders ‘Officer’s Choice’ vs. John Distilleries ‘Original Choice’ brands.
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Madras High Court ordered John Distilleries’ trademark removal for consumer deception; contested by John Distilleries.
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Mediation prioritizes business interests and broad public welfare amidst packaging concerns.
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Final hearing set for December 8, 2025, to assess mediation outcomes.
Sources: LiveLaw, Moneycontrol, Economic Times, Spiritz, New Indian Express.