Gufic Biosciences wins trademark infringement case against American cosmetic major, Estee Lauder
12 Aug 2010
India-based Biosciences company, Gufic Biosciences Ltd. has won the legal battle against American cosmetic giant, Estee Lauder in a trademark infringement case for its product Skincliniq Stretch Nil, a stretch mark minimising lotion, after a 19-month battle.
The judgement was pronounced by a division bench of the New Delhi high court comprising Justice Badar Durez Ahmed and Veena Birbal.
The bench ruled that Gufic's use of the word 'Cliniq' in its product Skincliniq Stretch Nil is not identical to Estee Lauder's 'Clinique' brand.
It also noted that since there is a major price difference between Gufic's product and that of Estee Lauder, there is no room for confusion in differentiating between the two brands for consumers.
Gufic's 100-ml lotion costs about Rs245 compared to Rs1,200 for 15-ml and Rs1,950 for 75-ml for Estee Lauder's lotion.
In 2008, Estee Lauder had secured an ex-parte injunction order from the same court, which prevented Gufic from using the word Cliniq while selling its brand.
Jayesh Choksi, CMD, Gufic Biosciences, said, ''We are relieved and elated as our trademark was found to be genuine and authentic by the honorable high court.
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