Bombay High Court Appoints Ex-SC Judge To Resolve ₹5000 Crore Trademark Dispute Between Lodha Brothers

The Bombay High Court on Friday appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice RV Raveendran to mediate the Rs 5,000 crore trademark dispute between real estate giants and brothers - Abhishek Lodha and Abhinandan Lodha.This comes after the Lodha brothers consented to mediation. Single-judge Justice Arif Doctor is seized with the trademark suit by Abhishek's firm - Macrotech Developers against his brother Abhinandan's company - House of Abhinandan Lodha. "Let the initial mediation commence between the two brothers...Let the mediator have a first sitting with these two brothers and then, if he deems it fit, he can issue ditections for the inclusion of all parties to the suit," Justice Doctor said.The dispute pertains to the use of the trademark "Lodha" by Abhinandan in his new firm, since 2017. This, as per Abhishek, is a breach of the "Family Settlement" signed in 2017 between the two brothers after they decided to part ways in 2015. As per this settlement, Abhishek was to continue to look after the family's firm Macrotech Developers, which holds control over the intellectual property rights of the word "Lodha" and also retains the hold on real estate business. According to the suit, Abhinandan was supposed to "focus" on a non-real estate business and not use the word Lodha, especially in certain regions like the Mumbai Metropolitan Area and also Greater London. However, the suit alleged that Abhinandan has been breaching the "non-compete" clause of the 2017 settlement and continues to be engaged in real estate business and also uses the word Lodha. This act on part of Abhinandan, it is alleged, has created confusion among the consumers and thus, an injunction is sought against him from using the word Lodha. Further, Abhishek has demanded Rs 5000 crores in damages. Notably, when the matter was heard last week, the judge had suggested the two parties to go for mediation, to which they consented on Friday. Appearance:Senior Advocate Aspi Chinoy along with Advocates Karl Tamboly, C Rashmikant, Rohan Dakshini, Shweta Jayadev, Nikita Mishra, Anuja Bhansali, Urvi Gupte, Sailee Dhayalkar, Jai Sanyal, Raghav Dharmadhikari, instructed by Rashmikant and Partners, represented Abhinandan Lodha.Senior Advocate Janak Dwarkadas along with Advocate Suraj Iyer, instructed by Ganesh & Co, represented Abhishek Lodha.Senior Advocates Darius Khambata and Sharan Jagtiani along with Advocates Hiren Kamod, Priyank Kapadia, Rahul Dwarkadas, Prachi Dhanani, Nutash Kotwal and Shireen Mistri, instructed by Veritas Legal, appeared for Macrotech.Senior Advocates Virendra Tulzapurkar and Ravi Kadam along with Advocates Rashi Shah, instructed by Kartikeya & Associates, represented House of Abhinandan Lodha.Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond along with Advocates Ameet Naik, Rohan Kadam, Madhu Gadodia, Sandhya Singh, Ashutosh Upadhayay, Tarini Kulkarni and Lokesh Kansal, instructed by Anand and Naik, appeared for Lodha companies and directors.Advocate Chaitra Rao appeared for Lodha Advisory Services and Lodha Trusteeship.

Bombay High Court Appoints Ex-SC Judge To Resolve ₹5000 Crore Trademark Dispute Between Lodha Brothers

Narsi Benwal

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