The Maaza trademark fracas between Coca-Cola and Ramesh Chauhan?s Bisleri took a new turn on Friday with Bisleri threatening a higher compensation of Rs 200 crore if Coke does not accede to its demand in a written undertaking.
Two days back, Chauhan had sought a compensation of Rs 20 crore from Coke for trademark violations.
?If they want to make a legal issue out of it, we will demand a higher compensation. Today we are demanding Rs 20 crore as compensation, but if we have to go to court we will increase this amount to Rs 200 crore,? Ramesh Chauhan told FE.
?We are looking for a lawyer and if within a month?s time Coca-Cola does not give us in writing that it would cease registering Maaza trademark in countries outside India we will take them to court,? he added.
When contacted a Coca-Cola spokesperson reiterated that the company had sent a written communication to Chauhan that it would not register the trademark outside India.
The dispute between the companies came to light recently when Chauhan accused Coca-Cola of registering the Mazaa trademark outside India.
Chauhan accused Coca-Cola of ?stealing? the IPR of Maaza and infringing agreements dating back to 1993 and 1994 signed between The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) and Aqua Minerals?now Bisleri.
