Delhi High Court orders blocking of apps, websites misusing Premji Invest's IP to defraud people

The Delhi High Court recently ordered the blocking of websites and removal of mobile applications misrepresenting their association with Premji Invest (plaintiff) to defraud the general public [PI Investment Advisory LLP & Anr v Registrant of Premjiex.com & Ors]. 

Premji Invest supports the philanthropic initiatives of Azim Premji’s not-for-profit organisation, Azim Premji Foundation.

In an order passed on August 18, Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora restrained the proprietors of the websites and apps from infringing on Premji Invest’s trademarks and copyrighted content. 

“The Defendant Nos. 15 to 19 (Banks mentioned in the Memo of Parties) are directed to freeze the Bank accounts of the account holder(s) as reproduced in ‘Annexure – C’ annexed to the present order and disclose complete KYC documents as well as bank statement of owner/beneficiaries of the bank accounts,” the Bench said. 

It added that the injunction order will apply dynamically and if any mirror/ alphanumeric/ similar/ redirect variation of websites/ applications are discovered to be violating Premji Invest’s intellectual property (IP) rights, they will be blocked in real time. 

Justice Arora passed the order while dealing with a suit filed by Premji Invest seeking to prevent fraudulent schemes through fake websites, domains, apps and social media/WhatsApp impersonating Premji Invest.

It was argued that the applications and websites were unauthorizedly using and displaying the plaintiffs’ brand name, tradename and trademark, and misleading unsuspecting users to believe that they are dealing with the plaintiffs or its officials.

After considering the case, the Court observed that if the infringers are not restrained, they will continue to confuse and mislead the general public to believe that they are associated with Premji Invest and damage its reputation. 

“In view of the aforesaid, this Court is of the prima facie opinion that that Plaintiffs have established a case of grant of ex-parte ad-interim injunction in their favour and against the Defendant Nos. 1 and 2 as well as unknown persons/Defendant No. 20. The balance of convenience also lies in favour of the Plaintiffs and irreparable loss would be caused to the Plaintiffs, if the ex-parte ad-interim injunction is not granted at this stage,” the Court held.

Therefore, it passed the restraining order. 

Advocates Anuj Berry, Anusha Ramesh, Gauri Pasricha and Nitya Jain appeared for Premji Invest. 

[Read Order]