Court orders immediate suspension of infringing websites and WhatsApp accounts misusing Indiamart's trademarks and copyrighted content.
In a significant legal victory for Indiamart Intermesh Limited, the Delhi High Court has granted an ex parte ad interim injunction against Ashok Kumar and other unidentified entities operating fake websites that infringe on Indiamart's trademarks and copyrights. The decision, delivered by Justice Jyoti Singh on May 26, 2026, underscores the court's commitment to protecting intellectual property rights in the digital age.
Indiamart, a leading B2B online marketplace, had approached the court seeking urgent relief against fake websites that were not only infringing its registered trademarks, such as "INDIAMART," but also misusing its copyrighted website layout and content. The court found that the plaintiff had established a prima facie case, and without interim relief, Indiamart would suffer irreparable harm.
Justice Singh issued a comprehensive order directing the suspension and removal of the infringing websites hosted on platforms like Vercel, GitHub, and Netlify. The court instructed these platforms to take down the URLs listed in the order within 36 hours. Additionally, WhatsApp was directed to block accounts linked to these fraudulent activities and disclose user information to Indiamart.
The court's order also mandates the preservation of all records related to the creation and operation of the infringing websites. Service providers were ordered to provide Indiamart with details about the operators of these websites, including their email addresses, phone numbers, and IP addresses.
Furthermore, financial institutions and telecom companies involved in facilitating these fraudulent activities were instructed to disclose the KYC details of account holders and suspend related services. This includes Punjab National Bank and Bharti Airtel, which were specifically named in the order.
Indiamart's legal battle highlights the challenges faced by companies in safeguarding their digital assets and the importance of swift judicial intervention in preventing online fraud. The court's decision not only protects Indiamart's reputation but also serves as a deterrent to other potential infringers.
As part of the court's directive, Indiamart is required to comply with procedural requirements within two weeks to ensure the continued enforcement of the injunction.
Bottom line:-
Trademark and Copyright Infringement - Court granted ex parte ad interim injunction restraining Defendants from operating fake websites, WhatsApp accounts, or bank accounts using Plaintiff's trademarks and copyrighted materials. Defendants were further directed to disable infringing URLs, suspend accounts, and disclose relevant user information to the Plaintiff.
Statutory provision(s): Commercial Courts Act, 2015 Section 12-A, Order XXXIX Rules 1 and 2 CPC, Section 80 CPC, Section 151 CPC
Indiamart Intermesh Limited v. Ashok Kumar, (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc id # 2919712
