Delhi High Court Protects 'Aaj Tak' Mark, Restrains News Agencies From Using It In Source Code And Meta Tags

The Delhi High Court on Friday restrained Amar Ujala and News18 from using the trademark 'Aaj Tak' in their website source code or as meta tags, after both companies informed the Court that they had already removed the infringing links and did not wish to contest the trademark suit filed by Living Media India Ltd, owner of the Aaj Tak news brand.

A single bench of Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora passed a decree against the two media houses after recording their undertakings that they would not use the mark 'Aaj Tak' in any manner in the source code or meta tags that could result in trademark infringement or passing off. Following the undertakings, Living Media stated that it had no objection to disposal of the suit against them.

During the hearing, another news agency (Defendant No. 4) submitted that its reference to Aaj Tak in a Bangla news report was meant only to credit the source. The agency said it had no intention to infringe the mark and agreed to remove the reference within 48 hours.

Living Media argued that credit attribution did not require embedding the mark within meta tags. The Court directed the agency to delete the link within 48 hours and reserved the issue of rights and contentions for consideration after the completion of pleadings.

Another news agency, HT Media did not appear on Friday, prompting the Court to list the matter again on Monday.

On Monday, HT Media informed the Court that it had removed all infringing links and undertook not to use the trademark 'Aaj Tak' as part of its website source code or meta tags. The court accordingly decreed the suit against HT Media based on its undertaking.

The Bengal agency too subsequently confirmed removal of the links. The matter will next be heard on November 27, 2025 for Living Media to verify complete compliance and for the agency to indicate whether the suit may be similarly disposed of as against the other defendants.