Alfa Therm Limited Secures Legal Victory Over Unauthorized Use of Photographs by Competitor Scientico
In a significant judgment delivered by the Delhi High Court on May 26, 2026, Alfa Therm Limited, a leading company in environmental and waste management systems, secured an ex-parte ad interim injunction against M/s Scientico for unauthorized use of copyrighted photographs. The decision, presided over by Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, underscores the protection of intellectual property rights in the digital age.
Alfa Therm Limited, established in 1994, operates in designing, manufacturing, and supplying advanced waste management solutions. The company alleged that Scientico, through its website and other online platforms, used copyrighted photographs originally commissioned by Alfa Therm without authorization. These photographs, depicting machinery installations, were claimed to have been used by the plaintiff since July 2019 on their official platforms.
The court found a strong prima facie case of copyright infringement by Scientico, noting that the defendant had prominently displayed Alfa Therm's photographs on their website without any bona fide justification. The defendant's failure to respond appropriately to a cease and desist notice further solidified the court's decision to grant the injunction.
In its ruling, the court restrained Scientico from reproducing, copying, or displaying Alfa Therm's copyrighted photographs on its website and other online platforms. Furthermore, Scientico was directed to remove all infringing content immediately. The court emphasized the balance of convenience in favor of Alfa Therm, recognizing the potential irreparable harm to the plaintiff's goodwill and reputation.
This case highlights the critical importance of safeguarding intellectual property in the digital realm, especially when businesses operate and promote their products online. The legal community is taking note of the court's firm stance on copyright protection, which serves as a reminder to companies to respect and uphold the intellectual property rights of their competitors.
Bottom line:-
Copyright infringement - Unauthorized use of copyrighted photographs by the defendant on its website and online platforms, including IndiaMart listings, constitutes a prima facie case for ex-parte ad interim injunction in favor of the plaintiff.
Statutory provision(s): Copyright Act, 1957 Section 17, Civil Procedure Code (CPC) Order XXXIX Rules 1 & 2, Commercial Courts Act, 2015 Section 12A.
Alfa Therm Limited v. M/s Scientico, (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc id # 2911772
