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  Overview The Supreme Court of India has recently addressed a pivotal question in the realm of intellectual property and arbitration: Are all trademark disputes excluded from arbitration? The answer, as clarified in the case of K. Mangayarkarasi & Anr. v. N.J. Sundaresan & Anr., is a definitive no—at least when the dispute arises from private contractual arrangements rather than statutory rights. Case Title and Citation Case Title: K. Mangayarkarasi & Anr. v. N.J. Sundaresan & Anr. Citation: SLP (C) No. 13012 of 2025 Bench: Justice J.B. Pardiwala Factual Matrix The dispute involved family members contesting the right to use the trademark “Sri Angannan Biriyani Hotel.” The plaintiffs sought a permanent injunction and damages, alleging that the defendants had forged assignment deeds and engaged in misconduct. The defendants, in turn, invoked arbitration clauses present in the assignment deeds, seeking referral of the matter to arbitration. Procedural Journey The Co...

  The Critical Role of Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in Protecting Confidential Business Information Author: Abhishek Jat, Advocate In today’s fast-paced and highly competitive business environment, the protection of sensitive and proprietary information is more critical than ever. Companies often engage in collaborations, partnerships, or negotiations that require the exchange of confidential data. To ensure that such information remains secure and is not misused, businesses rely on  Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) . These legally binding contracts are designed to protect confidential information shared between parties, ensuring that proprietary data is safeguarded from unauthorized use or disclosure. This article delves into the importance of NDAs, their key components, and their role in fostering trust and legal compliance in business relationships. Additionally, it highlights the legal nuances that make NDAs enforceable and effective. What is a Mu...

  Madras High Court Clarifies Jurisdiction in Trademark Rectification Cases: A Landmark Ruling By Abhishek Jat, Advocate In a significant judgment, the  Madras High Court  has provided much-needed clarity on the jurisdictional aspects of trademark rectification petitions under  Sections 47 and 57 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 (TM Act) . The case,  Woltop India Pvt. Ltd. vs Union of India & Others , addressed the critical question of which High Court has the authority to hear rectification petitions concerning trademark registrations. The Court held that the High Court referred to in Sections 47 and 57 is the one exercising  appellate jurisdiction  over the  Registrar of Trade Marks  who made the impugned entry. This ruling has far-reaching implications for trademark disputes and aims to prevent jurisdictional chaos, conflicting decisions, and legal uncertainty. Background of the Case The petitioner,  Woltop India Pvt. Ltd. , f...