Trade Mark - "JIO TAXI" is deceptively similar mark "JIO".

Bombay High Court Grants Interim Relief to Reliance Industries in Trademark Infringement Case Defendant Restrained from Using "JIO TAXI" Mark in Alleged Passing-Off Case

In a significant ruling, the Bombay High Court has granted interim relief to Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) in a trademark infringement case against Abhay Kumar and another defendant, concerning the use of the mark "JIO TAXI". The Court, presided by Justice Sharmila U. Deshmukh, found that the defendants were using a deceptively similar mark for their car rental services, which infringed upon the well-established trademark "JIO" owned by RIL. The judgment was delivered on November 24, 2025.

Reliance Industries, a leading conglomerate with diversified interests, has been the registered proprietor of the trademark "JIO" since 2011, with specific registration in Class 39 for transport services obtained in 2012. The company's counsel, Mr. Vinod Bhagat, presented evidence of these registrations and highlighted the company's substantial growth across various industries, including telecommunications and e-commerce, under the "JIO" brand.

The defendant's application to register "JIO TAXI" had previously been rejected by citing the plaintiff's trademark, further corroborating RIL's claims of infringement and passing-off. Despite valid service to Defendant No. 1, there was no appearance from their side, strengthening the plaintiff's position in the case.

Justice Deshmukh noted the prima facie case demonstrated by the plaintiff and recognized "JIO" as a well-known trademark. The Court ordered an ad-interim injunction restraining the defendants from using the mark "JIO TAXI" or any deceptively similar name, domain, or trading name. The injunction will remain in effect until further orders, with the interim application scheduled for further consideration on December 16, 2025.

This case underscores the importance of trademark protection for corporate entities and sets a precedent for similar disputes involving well-known marks.

Bottom Line:

Trade Mark Law - Interim relief granted to Plaintiff for infringement of registered trade mark "JIO" and passing-off by Defendant using deceptively similar mark "JIO TAXI".

Statutory provision(s): Trade Marks Act, 1999 Sections 29, 134; Civil Procedure Code, 1908

Reliance Industries Limited v. Abhay Kumar, (Bombay) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2814140