VIP Industries, one of India’s leading luggage makers, has provided an update on ongoing trademark litigation involving the use of the name “Carlton.” The company reports no immediate financial implications resulting from the current legal proceedings and has received favorable directions from the Supreme Court, allowing it to manage its existing Carlton-marked inventory while asking the Delhi High Court to expedite a final decision.
Recent Supreme Court Rulings and Background
The dispute centers around the use of the trademark “Carlton” in India for bags, luggage, and related goods. VIP Industries and Carlton Shoes Limited have both held registrations for this mark in Class 18 (covering leather goods and luggage), but a conflict arose when both began using the mark for similar products.
After a series of injunction requests and appeals, the Delhi High Court had earlier issued an order restraining VIP Industries from using the “Carlton” mark for marketing and selling bags and related goods, siding with Carlton Shoes Limited, which claimed earlier and more established usage of the brand in India.
VIP Industries challenged this in the Supreme Court, citing both their own registered rights and the business significance of the “Carlton” brand to their product lineup.
Latest Court Developments
The Supreme Court has allowed VIP Industries to continue handling, dealing with, and disposing of the inventory of Carlton-branded products that is already in its possession. This step enables the company to avoid immediate inventory write-downs or operational disruptions as the legal process moves forward.
The Court also directed the Delhi High Court to expedite hearings in the ongoing civil suits, urging a prompt conclusion to the trademark dispute.
VIP Industries has underscored that there are no immediate financial implications from this litigation. The injunction order does not affect the majority of its diverse product lines, and the company remains confident that, even in the event of an adverse outcome, its overall financial health and operations will not be materially impacted.
About the Carlton Mark Dispute
-
Carlton is a premium luggage brand, contributing over Rs 100 crore to VIP Industries’ annual revenue.
-
Both companies claim rights based on trademark registrations and market presence, but the legal focus has been on demonstrating actual goodwill, use, and customer recognition in India.
-
The case is closely watched in the intellectual property field for its implications on trademark coexistence and the interpretation of goodwill and prior use.
What’s Next
-
The Delhi High Court is expected to fast-track hearings, bringing the trademark battle one step closer to a final resolution.
-
VIP Industries can continue selling its existing Carlton inventory for now, while any new production or marketing under the Carlton mark will depend on future court outcomes.
-
The company’s near-term finances, daily operations, and product launches remain unaffected.
Source: Company disclosure to stock exchanges, Supreme Court and Delhi High Court orders, and reports published August 5, 2025.
