How Is Jurisdiction Decided In Trademark Infringement Suits?

If anyone infringes upon your brand name, logo, or product identity, you will be tempted to ask, “Which court should I go to and stop this infringement?”

Jurisdiction in trademark infringement suits is not a mere technicality but directly influences the time, expenses, and efficacy of your legal action. The rules of jurisdiction in India have been drawn from the Civil Procedure Code, 1908, and special provisions laid down under the Trade Marks Act, 1999, and the Copyright Act, 1957.

Over the past few years, the courts have established that trademark owners are empowered under the law by different options to sue, but such powers cannot be used against a defendant who is being dragged to faraway courts. A recent ruling of the Gujarat High Court in Hasmukhbhai Bhagwanbhai Patel v. Husenali Anwarali Charaniya (2023) again clarified how jurisdiction should be decided in such cases.

Real Case Experience: “KRANTI KAKA” Trademark Dispute

In 2023, a trademark dispute arose in the case of Hasmukhbhai Bhagwanbhai Patel v. Husenali Anwarali Charaniya.

• The plaintiff had his main office in Surat.
• The defendant was from Surendranagar.
• The suit was filed in Dahod, a district where neither party had real business.

The plaintiff lost much valuable time and effort in the wrong court. Therefore, filing suit at the wrong place will cost you more than the infringement itself.  

Lesson: Filing suit at the wrong place will cost you more than the infringement itself.  

How does the Law decide which Court You Can Approach?

Rule 1: The CPC Basics (Section 20)

• Section 20 of the Civil Procedure Code 1908 lays down the rule that one generally sues where the defendant resides or carries on business or where the cause of action, wholly or in part, arose. 
• Practical view: To prevent parties from harassing their opponents by dragging them to far-flung places. 

Rule 2: The Special Advantage for IP Owners

• The Copyright Act (Section 62) and Trade Marks Act (Section 134) give plaintiffs an extra benefit. You can also file a case where you live or do business.
• Example from practice: A Delhi startup once asked me whether they needed to file in Mumbai because the infringer was based there. The answer was no; they could file in Delhi, where they genuinely carried on business.

Rule 3: Courts Do Not Allow Forum Shopping

Courts are clear that the plaintiff cannot misuse these provisions. Filing in a district with no genuine connection will lead to dismissal.

Landmark Judgments and Their Lessons

Supreme Court: Sanjay Dalia Case (2015)

The Court stated that if the place where the infringement occurs is the registered head office of the company, one might not bring an action in a distant branch office.

Takeaway from the case: One client in Mumbai wished to sue in Delhi simply because they had a small branch there. However, the safer option was to file in Mumbai, where the actual cause of action arose. 

Delhi High Court: Burger King Case (2018)

The Court held that these special provisions are in addition to the CPC but must be truly construed.

Practical takeaway: There must be a reason to show that your choice of forum has logic and a genuine connection with it. 

Gujarat High Court: Hasmukhbhai Case (2023)

The Court held that a few invoices from Dahod were not enough to create jurisdiction. Both parties had stronger links elsewhere.

Client lesson: Substantial business activity matters; stray sales do not.

What does this mean for you as a Business Owner?

1. File where your main office is located. This is usually the safest choice.
2. If infringement happens in another city, compare both forums. File where your business is strongest.
3. In online infringement, courts look at whether your customers are targeted in that region.
4. Defendants can challenge the choice of court. Weak jurisdiction can get your case dismissed.

Why Courts Discourage Forum Shopping?

• It increases litigation costs.
• It clogs courts in unrelated jurisdictions.
• It delays genuine enforcement for brand owners.
• It creates unfair pressure on defendants.

Courts want to ensure that cases are filed in logical and fair forums.

Conclusion 

In trademark disputes, jurisdiction decides whether your case will survive or fail at the very first stage.

• Under CPC, you file where the defendant resides or where the cause of action arises.
• Under the Trade Marks Act, you also have the option to file where you reside or do business.
• Courts, however, will not allow misuse of this advantage.

In practice, there are cases that succeed because the right court was chosen, and it is seen that the cases collapse because of a wrong jurisdictional choice. The safest approach is to file where your business is genuinely rooted and let the merits of your case decide the outcome.

One can talk to a lawyer from Lead India for any kind of legal support. In India, free legal advice online can be obtained at Lead India. Along with receiving free legal advice online, one can also ask questions to the experts online for free through Lead India.

FAQs

1. If my business is online, how do courts decide jurisdiction?

Courts look at where your online sales are targeted, where customers are based, and where your main office operates, not just at a single online order.

2. Does having a registered office in one city and a branch in another affect jurisdiction?

Yes. Courts prefer the city of your principal office, especially if the infringement also took place there. Branch offices alone may not be enough.

3. Is jurisdiction different for criminal trademark infringement cases?

Yes. Criminal actions for counterfeiting or fraudulent use of a trademark are usually filed where the offence took place, and follow the CrPC/BNSS rules, not CPC.