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Judgment
Prathiba M. Singh, J
I.As. 7708/2019 (u/O XXXIX Rules 1 & 2 CPC) & 8563/2019 (u/O XXXIX Rules 3A and 4 CPC)
The present order disposes of the applications under Order XXXIX Rules 1 and 2 CPC and Order XXXIX Rules 3A and 4 CPC.
Brief Facts
The Plaintiff â€" Emami Ltd. has filed the present suit seeking protection of the mark “ZANDU PANCHARISHTAâ€and
“PANCHARISHTAâ€. The case of the Plaintiff is that the product “ZANDU PANCHARISHTAâ€was launched in the year 1968 by Zandu
Pharmaceutical Works ltd. This company was acquired by the Plaintiff â€" Emami Ltd. sometime in 2008. Thus, in the present suit, reference to the
Plaintiff would include its predecessor-in-interest. The term “PANCHARISHTAâ€is stated to have been coined by the Plaintiff and is claimed to
be an inherently distinctive trademark. The product sold under the said mark “PANCHARISHTAâ€with the house-mark “ZANDUâ€is an
ayurvedic digestive tonic. It treats consumers with ailments including digestive problems, gas, heaviness in the stomach, flatulence, belching, loss of
appetite and constipation.
The Plaintiff admits that the product is based on the traditional Asava-Arishtas, namely, Drakshasava, Kumariasava, Lohasava, Dashmoolarishta
and Ashwagandharish. The Plaintiff further claims that the product has been developed with a unique formulation containing 36 ingredients, including
water, using the traditional ayurvedic science of Asavaarishta.
The “ZANDU PANCHARISHTAâ€label has been registered since 1986, and the word marks “ZANDU PANCHARISHTAâ€and
“ZANDU PANCHARISHTA PLUSâ€have been registered since 2010 and 2014, respectively, in Class 5 for ayurvedic, herbal and medicinal
preparations and similar goods. The sales of the Plaintiffâ€s products have risen over the years and have been between 70 to 100 crores per year in
the last five years. The Plaintiff claims that due to the long and continuous use of over 50 years, the trademark “PANCHARISHTAâ€is
exclusively associated with the Plaintiff and it enjoys statutory and common law rights in the same.
On 13th April, 2019, the Plaintiff came across the Defendantâ€s product under the name “PANCHARISHTAâ€used along with the house-mark
“BAIDYARAJâ€. The Plaintiff immediately filed the present suit, seeking a permanent injunction restraining infringement of its registered
trademark, passing off and other reliefs. This Court, on 27th May, 2019, after hearing the ld. counsels for both parties, granted an ex-parte ad-interim
injunction in the following terms:
“12. On the basis of the documents filed on record and those that have been handed over today in Court, the Court is satisfied that the
Plaintiff has made out a prima face case for grant of an ex-parte injunction. These being medicinal preparations, the consumers who
consume the Plaintiffs product Zandu Pancharishta are likely to be confused with the Defendantsâ€Baidyaraj Pancharishta product which
is meant for similar ailments. Accordingly, till the next date, the Defendant is restrained from using, manufacturing or selling any medicinal
preparations bearing the mark 'Pancharishta'.â€
The Defendant moved an application under Order XXXIX Rules 3A and 4 CPC and during the course of arguments, the Defendant proposed a
new label and name, however, since no amicable resolution could be found, the matter was heard on merits.
Submissions of Parties
It is the submission of the ld. counsel for the Defendant, Mr. Pravin Anand, arguing the application under Order 39 Rule 4 CPC, that the word
“PANCHARISHTAâ€is based on traditional ayurvedic texts. He relies on an extract from Sarngadhara-Samhita, published from Varanasi,
wherein “Arishtaâ€has been described as a drug which is prepared using water and boiling the same. He submits that since the word
“Arishtaâ€is an ayurvedic preparation, no monopoly can be claimed or granted in respect of the same.
He further submits that during the course of registration of the “ZANDU PANCHARISHTAâ€label mark, the trademark agent appearing for
the Plaintiff had conceded that the word “Pancharishtaâ€is descriptive. Extracts from the notings of the ld. Registrarâ€s file are relied upon. Mr.
Anand, ld. counsel, relies on the following judgments:
a) Marico Ltd. v. Agro Tech Foods Limited, [FAO (OS) No. 352/2010, decided on 1st November, 2010]
b) Schering Corporation & Anr. v. United Biotech (P) Ltd. & Anr., MANU/MH/1240/2010
c) Online India Capital Co. Pvt. Ltd. v. Dimensions Corporate, 2000 102 CompCas 352 Delhi
d) Satyam Infoway ltd. v. Signet Solutions P. Ltd., (2004) 6 SCC 145
e) SK Sachdeva & Anr. v. Shri Educate Ltd. & Anr., [FAO(OS) 531/2014, decided on 25th January, 2016]
It is further urged that there are third parties which use the mark “PANCHARISHTAâ€, such as Planetâ€s Pancharishta and Gwapha
Pancharishta, and in view of the same, no monopoly can be granted over the mark. Additionally, it is submitted that the claim of user of the Plaintiff is
also not tenable as in paragraph 16 of the plaint, user is claimed for over 50 years, whereas in paragraph 10, the claim of user is since 2005/2006. It is
further submitted that the Plaintiff admits that “PANCHARISHTAâ€has been used with the word “ZANDUâ€, which is a prominent part of
the trademark. In fact, “ZANDUâ€is the distinctive part and “PANCHARISHTAâ€is the descriptive part of the mark.
On the other hand, Mr. Jayant K. Mehta, ld. counsel appearing for the Plaintiff, submits that no written statement has been filed by the Defendant,
hence there is no denial as the Defendant has only preferred an application under Order XXXIX, Rules 3A and 4 CPC. The Defendant does not deny
that the Plaintiffâ€s product has been in existence since 1968 and in any event, the label itself is registered in 1986 which proves that the mark is more
than 30 years old. The admitted launch by the Defendant is in 2019.
It is submitted that the word “PANCHARISHTAâ€, though it may be derived from the word Arishta, has acquired a secondary meaning due
to long usage and the same is not a common word. When a Google search is conducted on the word “PANCHARISHTAâ€almost all the search
results relate to the Plaintiffâ€s product and this is evidence of the fact that there is no other generic meaning for “PANCHARISHTAâ€.
The mark “PANCHARISHTAâ€is a unique combination of the number
“5â€in Devanagari/Hindi language, combined with the word Arishta. This combination did not exist prior to the Plaintiffâ€s usage. The fact that the
Plaintiffâ€s product is an over the counter drug which requires DCGI approval shows that consumers can easily purchase the Defendantâ€s products
as that of the Plaintiffâ€s due to the use of the word “PANCHARISHTAâ€. The Plaintiff relies on the following judgments:
a) Sun Pharma Laboratories Ltd. v. Ajanta Pharma Ltd., [CS (COMM) 622/2018, decided on 10th May, 2019]
b) Amritdhara Pharmacy v. Satya Deo Gupta, AIR 1963 SC 449
c) Heinz Italia & Anr. v. Dabur India Ltd., (2007) 6 SCC 1
d) Pidilite Industries Limited v. Jubilant Agri & Consumer Products Limited, (2014) 2 AIR Bom R 142
Analysis and Findings
The first and foremost question is whether the word “PANCHARISHTAâ€is either a descriptive or a generic mark and whether there can be
any monopoly associated with the same.
The documents on record at this stage show that the word Arishta in Ayurveda is a form of drug which is prepared with water. The relevant
extracts of Chapter 10 - Sandhana Kalpana (Galenicals, Fermented Liquids) of the aforementioned ayurvedic text read as under:
“ CHAPTER 10
Sandhana Kalpana (Galenicals, Fermented liquids)
…
Water in which, drugs kept for long periods, getting fermented are known asavas and aristhas. Such of them useful in medical treatement
are described in chapter (1).
…
Asava is prepared in cold water without boiling the drugs whereas aristha is prepared by boiling. The medicinal dose of both is the same as
that of water taken for early morning drink (i.e., about two palas) (2)â€
In the above extracts from the ayurvedic text, the word Arishta is used, thus, the word Arishta is generic to the nature of the drug and cannot be
monopolized.
The question, however, does not end here. Does “PANCHARISHTA†become generic? There is no doubt that the Plaintiff launched the
product “PANCHARISHTAâ€in 1968 and thus, the product is more than 50 years old.
The Plaintiff has relied upon the affidavit of an ayurvedic expert, Dr. Neena Sharma, which reads as under:
“I, Dr. Neena Sharma, D/o Sh. Dr. Indravadhan Mehta, aged about 57 years, residing at 1/1A Umakant Sen Lane. Kolkata 70030 do
hereby solemnly affirm and state as under:
I state that I am a qualified doctor having the degree of B.A.M.S, MD (Ayurveda) In Ayurvedic.
I state that I am working as Associate Vice President and have an experience of 29 years in the field of Ayurveda & Ayurvedic
Pharmaceutics. I say that I am duly authorized and competent to swear the present Affidavit on behalf of the Plaintiff Company.
I state that the word ""Pancharishta"" is not a generic word but it is a coined word which is made by the Plaintiff Company. In the entire
Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia, the word ""Pancharishta"" is not mentioned unlike 'Chyawanprash' which is a generic medicine whose formulation
is prescribed in Ayurvedic text books.
I state that ""Pancharishta"" is a proprietary medicine and its formulation is prepared by Research department of the Plaintiff Company.
Ayurvedic text books have no reference of the word ""Pancharishta"" anywhere.
I further state that five different 'Asav' & 'Arista' (1) Angurasava (2) Ashwagandharista (3) Dashamoolarista (4) Kumari asava (5)
Lohasava have been combined by Zandu Pharmaceutical Works Limited, the predecessor in interest of the Plaintiff Company to make one
medicine named Pancharistha.
I state that there is no such formulation existing with any other entity in the Industry and therefore, the word ""Pancharishta"" is not
applicable to any other medicine and it is an unique formulation created by the Plaintiff Company.
I state that as per entire content of all Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, there is nothing which allows
anyone to use the word ""Pancharishta"" freely other than the registered owner of brand.â€
A perusal of this affidavit shows that whereas the word “Chyawanprashâ€is claimed to be found in ayurvedic texts, the word
“PANCHARISHTAâ€, a combination of panch and arishta, is not found in any ayurvedic text. The expert has stated that
“PANCHARISHTAâ€is a proprietary medicine and the formulation of this medicine has been prepared by the Research and Development wing of
the Plaintiff Company. She further states that five different Arishtas have been combined to make this formulation.
This affidavit was filed prior to the conclusion of arguments in the matter, however, no rebuttal has been filed by the Defendant. Moreover, in the
reply to the Order XXXIX Rules 3A and 4 CPC application, the Plaintiff has also relied upon Google search results which show that for the word
“PANCHARISHTAâ€almost all the search results are of the Plaintiffâ€s products. There are several advertisements featuring various brand
ambassadors including, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, Mr. M. S. Dhoni and other ayurvedic doctors, which shows that the product of the Plaintiff has been
advertised extensively. Further, even before the Registrar of Trademarks, in Application No. 4206808, an Affidavit of Use has been filed by the
Plaintiff to show that the mark has been used continuously since 1968. The sales figures of the Plaintiffâ€s product run into crores of rupees which
reflects the goodwill of the product. A significant fact to note is that before the Registrar of Trademarks, there is no other application for the word
“PANCHARISHTAâ€by any manufacturer or trader. These facts clearly go to show that while Arishta is based on an ayurvedic form of
medicine, the word “PANCHARISHTAâ€is not existing in Ayurveda and has, in fact, been coined by the Plaintiff.
The Defendant claims that it is using the number “5â€to signify that its product combats 5 causes of a poor digestive system. This is completely
different from why the Plaintiff uses the word “PANCHARISHTAâ€. The Plaintiff uses “PANCHARISHTAâ€because its formulation has
five traditional Asava Arishtas. Thus, the use of the number “5â€by the two parties is for different reasons. A perusal of the label of the Defendant
shows that Aegle marmelos, clerodendrum phlomidis, oroxylum indicum, gmelina arborea, stereospermum suaveolens, desmodium
gangeticum, uraria picta, tribulus terrestris, solanum indicum, solanum surattense, emblica officianalis, terminalia bellirica, terminalia
chebula, hemidesmus indicus, messua ferra, terminalia arjuna, withania somnifera, asparagus raccemosus, tinospora cordifolia, sida
cordifolia, glycyrrhiza glabra, aloe barbadensis, vitis vinifera, zingiber officinale, piper nigrum, cinnamomum tamala, elettaria
cardamomum, coriandrum sativum, cuminum cyminum, inula racemosa, trachyspermum ammi, apium graveolens, syzygium aromaticum,
cinnamomum zeylinicum, woodfordia fruticosa, jaggery and water are the ingredients used by the Defendant. The Plaintiffâ€s product, on
the other hand, as per the label, additionally contains rubia cordifolia, symplocos racemosa, piper longum, amomum subulatum, curcuma
longa, hedychium spicatum, saccharum officinarum, and does not contain uraria picta, solanum surattense, hemidesmus indicus, messua
ferra, vitis vinifera, elettaria cardamomum, inula racemosa, apium graveolens and jaggery. The ingredients of the two products being different,
the effect on the consumer/patients would also be different. The use of “PANCHARISHTAâ€has a scientific basis insofar as the Plaintiff is
concerned, however, its use by the Defendant is in a general manner and there is no reasonable basis for use of the number “5â€with Arishta.
Considering that the products are medicinal preparations, the effect of the Plaintiffâ€s product on a consumer could be considerably different than
the effect of the Defendantâ€s product. The consumers may purchase the Defendantâ€s products simply presuming that because of the use of the
word “PANCHARISHTAâ€in both products, Plaintiff and the Defendantâ€s products are one and the same or have the same therapeutic effect.
It is the settled position in law since the judgment in Cadila Health Care Ltd. v. Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited, (2001) 5 SCC 73, that in medicinal
preparations a high standard needs to be imposed for ascertaining the likelihood of deception and confusion. Recently, in Sun Pharma Laboratories
Ltd. v. Ajanta Pharma Ltd. (supra), this Court has held that confusion should be avoided in the case of pharmaceutical products. The observations of
this Court are as under:
“21. Thus, the settled law in passing off is that of probability or likelihood of confusion and not actual confusion. In Cadila, the Supreme
court has warned that in case of products used for the same ailments but with different composition, a more stringent test needs to be
adopted.
…
The overwhelming precedents including in several Division Bench judgments of this Court is that in the case of medicinal and
pharmaceutical products, confusion and deception ought to be avoidedâ€
The Supreme Court in Heinz Italia & Anr. v. Dabur India Ltd. (supra) has even granted protection for the word marks “GLUCON-Dâ€and
“GLUCOSE- Dâ€, which were also descriptive marks. In Godfrey Philips India Ltd. v. Girnar Food & Beverages (P) Ltd., (2004) 5 SCC 257, the
Supreme Court has clearly held that if a descriptive mark acquires secondary meaning, the same can be granted protection.
The word “PANCHARISHTAâ€is not a generic word. Arishta is a method of preparation of drugs in Ayurveda, however,
“PANCHARISHTA†is a unique formulation of five different ingredients which have been prepared by the Plaintiff. The long and continuous use
of the mark since 50 years clearly tilts the balance in favour of the Plaintiff. The case law cited by the Defendant, i.e., Marico Ltd. v. Agro Tech
Foods Limited (supra) is clearly distinguishable as the mark therein was not used for such a long period. In the said case, by the time the suit was filed,
the mark was only in use for six to seven years. Insofar as the alleged admission with the trademark registry is concerned, a perusal of the notes of
the Registrar shows that the Registrar raised an objection that “PANCHARISHTAâ€is descriptive and the agent of the Plaintiff sought an
adjournment. Thereafter, the mark was amended for a proposed user instead of a registration based on user.
Subsequently, however, two other marks of the Plaintiff have been registered, i.e., “ZANDU PANCHARISHTAâ€and “ZANDU
PANCHARISHTA PLUSâ€. Both these trademarks have been registered with a user claim of 1968. There is no disclaimer in either of the
trademarks which have been registered for the Plaintiff. The word mark “ZANDU PANCHARISHTAâ€having been registered and there being
no disclaimer concerning the word “PANCHARISHTAâ€, even the Trademark Registrar appears not to consider the word
“PANCHARISHTAâ€as being descriptive.
In Bata India Limited v. Chawla Boot House, [CS (COMM) 110/2019, decided on 16th April, 2019] on the question of generic and descriptive
marks, it was held as under:
“27. The spectrum of distinctiveness of marks clearly explains how distinctiveness of marks is to be judged. The spectrum as explained in
McCarthy on “trade Marks and Unfair Competitionâ€, can be illustratively depicted as below:
As the well-known author Mr. J. Thomas McCarthy, in the treatise on “Trademark and Unfair Competitionâ€, opines, the question as
to whether the mark is descriptive or suggestive, can be based on the following tests:
a) Degree of imagination required to connect the mark with the product; and
b) The Competitorâ€s need to use the mark.â€
Applying the test laid down above, the mention of the word “PANCHARISHTA†does not give any direct connection to a medicinal
formulation meant for curing digestive aliments. It sounds like a medicine based on traditional ayurvedic knowledge but the exact formulation or
purpose, its nature and effect on ailments etc., is not decipherable. The use by the Plaintiff of the mark “PANCHARISHTAâ€is for a different
purpose from its use by the Defendant. The two alleged third party users which have been shown are completely unreliable at this stage as there are
no details as to who these parties are, i.e., Planetâ€s Pancharishta and Gwapha Pancharishta. The period from when they are selling their products is
also not known. There is overwhelming evidence to show that there has been no significant third-party use of the mark “PANCHARISHTAâ€and
there has not even been a trademark application by any party for the mark “PANCHARISHTAâ€.
During the course of arguments, the Defendants made a suggestion that it is ready to amend its label in following manner
In response to this proposal, the Plaintiff suggested that the Defendant attach this label:
Since no amicable resolution took place, the Court would refrain from suggesting or directing any specific manner of use being adopted by the
Defendant. Under these circumstances, the Plaintiff is entitled to an injunction restraining the Defendant from using the word
“PANCHARISHTAâ€as a trademark for medicinal preparations. It is, however, clarified that the Defendant would be at liberty to use the word
Arishta in a manner so as to not result in violation of the Plaintiffâ€s statutory and common law rights.
The I.As are disposed of.