A legal battle has emerged between two major food companies,Capital Foods, owned by the Tata Group, and Dabur, over the name “Schezwan Chutney.” The dispute centers around the similarities between Dabur’s newly launched chutney product and Capital Foods’ popular chutney under the Ching’s Secret brand.
The Issue at Hand
In 2024, Dabur introduced its own version of “Schezwan Chutney,” a product strikingly similar to the one sold by Capital Foods. Not only was the name identical, but Dabur’s packaging and branding also closely resembled that of Ching’s Secret, potentially confusing consumers into thinking Dabur’s chutney was endorsed or affiliated with the well-established brand.
Capital Foods’ Complaint
Capital Foods, represented by its legal team, approached the Delhi High Court claiming exclusive rights over the name “Schezwan Chutney,” arguing that the name is trademarked. The company emphasized its considerable investment in building the Ching’s Secret brand and its contribution to making the chutney widely popular. According to Capital Foods, Dabur’s use of the same name and similar branding misleads customers and infringes on their intellectual property. The company is seeking an injunction to prevent Dabur from selling its chutney under the “Schezwan Chutney” label.
Dabur’s Defense
Dabur, on the other hand, argues that the name “Schezwan Chutney” is a general term describing the chutney’s ingredients and is not unique or proprietary to any one company. Dabur contends that no company should have exclusive rights to such a name. Furthermore, Dabur has filed a petition to cancel the trademark on “Schezwan Chutney,” with a hearing scheduled for February 2025. The company argues that granting one company exclusive control over the name would hinder fair competition and potentially confuse customers further.
Court Proceedings
The Delhi High Court, under the supervision of Justice Mini Pushkarna, has acknowledged the gravity of the case. After hearing both parties, the court has scheduled the next hearing for the final week of February 2025. The court will consider whether Dabur’s use of “Schezwan Chutney” violates trademark laws and if the name can be protected as a trademark or if it should remain a generic term available to all companies.
What’s Next?
For now, both companies must await the final decision of the Delhi High Court, which will determine whether Dabur can continue selling its “Schezwan Chutney” under the same name. With the hearing set for February 2025, the legal battle over the chutney name is far from over, and the outcome will likely have significant implications for trademark protection in the food industry.
