A legal battle is brewing between established sportswear brand Campus Activewear and youth-focused fashion label Campus Sutra over the use of the word “Campus”, with both companies now locked in a trademark dispute before the Delhi High Court, Bar and Bench reported.
The case highlights the growing tension between legacy brands and newer, digitally-native fashion players as online retail blurs the boundaries between brand identities. Campus Activewear, known for its dominant presence in India’s footwear market, has sought a permanent injunction to restrain Campus Sutra from allegedly infringing its trademarks and “passing off” its brand. The company argues that Campus Sutra’s use of the name “Campus” on some products could mislead consumers and dilute the brand’s equity.
According to Bar and Bench, Campus Sutra, which has operated under the full name since 2012, claimed that only three of its over 11,000 designs were found using “Campus” as a standalone mark, and that too, inadvertently. The products had been listed online by mistake, the company told the court, and steps were taken to have them removed from digital platforms.
Represented by Senior Advocate Amit Sibal, Campus Sutra also submitted an undertaking to refrain from using the word “Campus” on a standalone basis until the next hearing, scheduled for November 10. “Mr Amit Sibal also submits that the defendant has been using the mark ‘Campus Sutra’ for its apparel since 2012. However, the defendant has never used the ‘Campus’ mark for footwear,” the court noted.
Justice Amit Bansal, who heard the matter on July 15, recorded this voluntary assurance and issued notice to Campus Sutra on Campus Activewear’s plea for interim relief. Campus Activewear is being represented by Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, along with a legal team from Panag & Babu, while Campus Sutra is being defended by Sibal and his team of advocates.