Amazon was ordered by an Indian court to pay US $ 39 million in damages for violating the “Beverly Hills Polo Club” trademark after clothing bearing the same marking was offered for sale on Amazon’s India website.
Regarding the amount of damages awarded against a US company in trademark proceedings, Indian attorneys referred to the decision as a milestone decision.
The complaint was launched in 2020 by Lifestyle Equities, the owner of the “Beverly Hills Polo Club” (BHPC) horse trademark, who claimed that Amazon’s India shopping website had apparel listings with a similar logo at a significantly lower price.
According to the court, Amazon Technologies controlled the infringing brand, which was offered for sale on the Amazon India website. Amazon has denied any misconduct.
The Delhi High Court stated in its 85-page ruling that “the logo which has been used is hardly distinguishable,” along with pictures of T-shirts that contrasted the two logos.
The Indian court imposed a “permanent injunction” and stated that Amazon “is well-aware of the Plaintiffs’ exclusive rights in the BHPC mark and logo as it has been involved in litigation” in a number of jurisdictions, including the UK.
