FMCG giant Dabur will respond to a notice issued by the Delhi High Court in a trademark infringement case on February 5. The notice, served late last week, pertains to Dabur’s use of the name “Schezwan Chutney” for one of its products, according to a report by Bar and Bench. The case was filed by Tata Consumer-owned Capital Foods, alleging trademark infringement.
In its plea, Capital Foods claimed that the term “Schezwan Chutney” is a well-known name associated with the company, and it invested significantly in promoting the brand. The company accused Dabur of misleading customers by using the same brand name and similar packaging for its product. Further, Capital Foods alleged that Dabur is using bold letters to highlight the name while keeping its own name less visible.
Dabur launched the product last year and subsequently approached the Trademarks Registry to seek the cancellation of the “Schezwan Chutney” trademark registration. It argued that the term refers to the type and quality of the product and should not be granted trademark protection. It further claimed that “Schezwan Chutney” is a generic term and cannot be registered as a trademark.
Capital Foods, which owns brands such as Ching’s Secret and Smith & Jones, was acquired by Tata Consumer in January 2024 to expand its product portfolio and target addressable market in fast-growing, high-margin categories. Dabur, one of the leading FMCG players in India, has well-known brands like Chyawanprash and Real Juices in its portfolio. Capital Foods has previously filed cases for copyright infringement concerning the “Schezwan Chutney” trademark.