Delhi High Court Grants Interim Relief to Amazon in ₹339 Crore Trademark Infringement Case
Background of the Case: Trademark Dispute Over BHPC Logo
The Delhi High Court has granted interim relief to Amazon Technology Inc. by staying the operation of a February 2025 single-judge order that had directed the company to pay over ₹339 crore in damages and costs to Lifestyle Equities and Lifestyle Licensing B.V. — the owners of the luxury fashion brand Beverly Hills Polo Club (BHPC).
The original suit, filed in 2020, accused Amazon and its affiliates of infringing upon BHPC’s registered trademark, particularly the horse device and logo, via Amazon’s private apparel label Symbol.
Interim Stay by Division Bench
On June 3, 2025, a division bench comprising Justices C Hari Shankar and Ajay Digpaul passed the interim stay order on Amazon’s appeal. The bench clarified that Amazon will not be required to deposit the ₹339 crore sum during the interim period, although it would be liable to comply if the final verdict rules against them.
The detailed reasoning for the stay is yet to be released, but the interim relief provides Amazon significant breathing room as the appellate proceedings continue.
Key Highlights of the Original Judgment (Feb 2025)
The single-judge bench had ruled in favour of the plaintiffs, holding Amazon Technology Inc. liable for deliberate and wilful trademark infringement of the BHPC mark. The judgment observed that the use of an allegedly identical or deceptively similar horse logo under the ‘Symbol’ private label on Amazon’s platform amounted to infringement.
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Damages awarded: USD 38.78 million (~₹336 crore)
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Court costs imposed: ₹3.23 crore
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Deadline for payment: 3 months from the date of judgment
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Interest clause: 5% p.a. if amount unpaid within the stipulated time
The judge had stated:
"The royalties that the Plaintiffs would have earned based on their business plan... is a reasonable measure of damages in the present case."
Plaintiffs' Allegations Against Amazon
The Plaintiffs — Lifestyle Equities C.V. and Lifestyle Licensing B.V. — asserted that the BHPC logo enjoys significant goodwill and brand recognition worldwide, including registrations in 91 countries such as India, the US, UK, Germany, UAE, and Mexico.
They alleged:
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Amazon Technology Inc. (Defendant No.1) used a deceptively similar logo on Symbol-branded apparel.
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Cloudtail India Pvt. Ltd. (Defendant No.2) retailed these goods.
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Amazon Seller Services Pvt. Ltd. (Defendant No.3) operated the e-commerce platform that facilitated these sales.
The complaint emphasized that this unauthorized use led to:
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Consumer confusion
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Dilution of BHPC’s brand reputation
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Loss of exclusivity in the Indian and global market
Legal Significance of the Dispute
This case marks a high-stakes development in Indian trademark litigation, especially in the e-commerce sector. It raises critical questions about:
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Liability of online platforms for third-party listings
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The boundaries of private label branding in digital marketplaces
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Enforcement of IP rights across global jurisdictions
It also draws attention to how foreign IP holders are asserting their rights in Indian courts, backed by extensive international registrations.
What Lies Ahead
While the interim stay protects Amazon from immediate financial liability, the final outcome of the appeal will set a precedent for how Indian courts interpret trademark protection in e-commerce disputes involving private labels and visual branding elements.
If the appellate court upholds the lower court’s order, Amazon could face one of its biggest trademark-related penalties in India to date. Conversely, a reversal may significantly impact brand owners' ability to enforce visual IP rights on digital marketplaces.
The matter remains under judicial scrutiny, with the detailed interim stay order awaited.
Stay tuned for further updates as the legal proceedings unfold.
For more insights into IP law, digital marketplace regulations, and high-value litigation in India, follow this space.
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