Reviewed case brief

N.R. Dongre v. Whirlpool Corporation

1996 (16) PTC 583 (SC)

1996 (16) PTC 583 (SC) · Supreme Court of India

transborder-reputationpassing-offforeign-trademarkgoodwillwhirlpoolprior-use
Court
Supreme Court of India
Year
1996
Subjects
Intellectual Property Law
Reviewed
2026-08-02

Rule established

Transborder reputation/goodwill of a foreign trademark is protectable in India even without use or registration in India. A mark that has acquired reputation through international media, advertising spillover, and foreign sales is entitled to passing off protection in India.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        1996 (16) PTC 583 (SC)

        Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.