Samsonite Corporation v. Vijay Sales and Anr, FSR (2000) 463
FACTS
Plaintiffs: The first plaintiff, Samsonite Corporation, is a company based in the United States. The second plaintiff, Samsonite India Pvt., Ltd., is a joint venture formed with Indian promoters.
Defendants: The first defendant, Vijay Sales, is a stockist in Connaught Place, New Delhi. The second defendant is Blowplast India Ltd., and the third defendant is V.I.P. Industries Ltd.
The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants:
Infringed their copyright in drawings related to suitcases.
Engaged in passing off by imitating the trade dress of Samsonite suitcases.
They claimed that samsonite Corporation was a market leader known for manufacturing high-quality luggage, including soft and hard luggage, backpacks, and more.
They claimed that the defendants copied their distinctive design elements and trade dress.
ISSUE
Was there design infringement and passing off of the plaintiff’s goods?
HELD
The court found in favor of the plaintiffs.
It held that the defendants had infringed the plaintiff’s copyright in drawings and were passing off their goods.
The defendants were imitating the distinctive trade dress used by Samsonite for its suitcases.
The court granted relief to Samsonite, restraining the defendants from using similar designs and trade dress.