24Seven sues Godfrey Phillips India for trademark violation

Twenty Four Seven Retail Store Private Limited has filed a suit before the Delhi High Court against its former stakeholder Godfrey Phillips India Limited for unauthorizedly continuing to use its trademark [Twenty Four Seven Retail Store Private Limited & Anr Vs Godfrey Philips India Limited]..However, the tobacco major on Tuesday disputed the allegation, stating that it stopped using the mark in October 2024 after it exited from the retail business in July 2024. During the hearing, Justice Mini Pushkarna expressed an inclination to refer the dispute to mediation. However, the same was opposed by Twenty Four Seven which said it would rather argue the matter.Consequently, the Court proceed to record Godfrey Phillips' statement that they were not using the mark 24Seven.“Let the Plaint be registered as suit. Ld Senior Counsel states that the defendant is not using the mark ... ‘Twenty Four Seven’ was discontinued from October 10, 2024. The defendant is made bound by the statement," the Court ordered..Twenty Four Seven Retail Store was represented by Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi who alleged that Godfrey Phillips India was continuing to use the mark despite exiting the company. Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, who represented Godfrey Phillips India, disputed the same. The case will now come up for hearing in March 2025. .Godfrey Phillips India, a prominent tobacco manufacturer, ventured into the retail sector in 2005 with its 24Seven convenience store chain, operating about 150 outlets as of December 2023.However, the company this year decided to exit this retail venture due to financial reasons. According to a news report, The New Shop, a grocery convenience retail startup, was in discussions to acquire 24Seven retail chain. .Earlier, the tobacco major's exit plan faced a legal challenge when Samir Modi, Executive Director of Godfrey Phillips and a key figure behind the 24Seven venture, sought an injunction against the move.In June 2024, a Delhi Court issued an interim injunction against Godfrey Phillips, temporarily halting the company's plans. The same was set aside by the District Judge of Saket Court in July 2024, allowing Godfrey Phillips to proceed with its exit strategy.Samir Modi was later removed from the company's board during a meeting after fellow directors did not support his reappointment.