Delhi HC directs suspension of 'Dream11 Team' website; Protects 'Dream 11' trademark

Following a trademark infringement suit by Sporta Technologies, the Delhi High Court has directed GoDaddy to suspend/block a website being run in the name of "Dream11 Team". (Sporta Technologies vs Dream11 Team).The Court has also restrained the owners of Dream11 Team from using the “Dream 11” trademark, domain name or a mark which is deceptively similar. .A direction has also been passed to 'Dream11 Team' to take down the infringing material from its social media pages..Dream 11 is a fantasy sports platform and the title sponsor of the Indian Premier League (IPL), 2020..The order was passed by a Single Judge Bench of Justice Rajiv Shakdher. .The Court was informed that the Sporta Technologies (Plaintiff) operated the website 'www.dream11.com' and that “Dream 11” was a registered trademark. .The Plaintiff said that the owners Dream11 Team "slavishly adopted" an identical trademark and trade logo and, therefore, created confusion in the minds of the consumers..After hearing the Plaintiff, the Court opined that at this stage, a prima facie case had been established in the favour of the Plaintiff. ."The balance of convenience also appears to be in favour of the plaintiffs.It is my sense that if, at this juncture, the plaintiffs are not protected, their statutory and commercial rights are likely to get jeopardised.", the Court said. .It further ordered, .In the meanwhile, the defendant, its proprietor, partners, employees and agents are restrained from using the mark “Dream 11” and the logo set forth hereafter or any other trademark/logo which is deceptively similar to the plaintiffs’ trademarks and logo. Furthermore, the defendant, its proprietor, partners, employees and agents are restrained from using the plaintiffs’ trademark as part of its domain name..Besides the foregoing, defendant no. 1 is also directed to take down the infringing material from its social media pages.Delhi High Court.While impleading GoDaddy, LLC, the Registrar of the infringing domain name, to the suit, the Court added, .GoDaddy, LLC [now defendant no. 2] is directed to suspend/block the defendant’s domain name i.e. www.dream11team.com.Delhi High Court.The Court issued summons in the suit and listed the matter for further hearing on October 6. .Advocates Shwetasree Majumder, Prithvi Singh, Pritika Kohli appeared for Plaintiff. .GoDaddy LLC was represented by Advocates Shantanu Sahay, Imon Roy. .Read the Order: