IPR
Topic 115 Master Compendium
Topic 115 — Master Compendium of All Landmark IP Cases
This concluding topic of Module 12 consolidates the master compendium of all landmark IP cases across all six modules. This is the comprehensive reference for judiciary exam preparation — collecting 50+ landmark cases organised by IP category (Patents, Trade Marks, Copyright, Designs, GIs, Trade Secrets) and theme (Constitutional, Competition, Privacy, Labour, Taxation, Emerging Tech). Each case includes citation, key holding, and significance. The compendium spans the journey from foundational 1960s-70s cases (Niranjan Shankar 1967, R.G. Anand 1978, Krishna Murgai 1981) through 1980s-90s establishment (John Richard Brady 1987, Yahoo! v. Akash Arora 1999, Cadila 2001) to modern foundational cases (Eastern Book Company 2008, Bharat Glass Tube 2008, Roche v. Cipla 2009, Microfibres 2009) and the post-2010 landscape (Bayer-Natco 2012, Novartis 2013, Cambridge UP 2016, Telefonaktiebolaget v. CCI 2016, Myspace 2016, Christian Louboutin 2018, Tea Board v. ITC 2018, UTV v. 1337X.to 2019, Ferid Allani 2019, Engineering Analysis 2021, Anil Kapoor 2023, Telefonaktiebolaget v. Lava 2024, Aventis 2025, Pernod Ricard v. Karanveer 2025 INSC 981, Arjan Dugal 2025, ANI v. OpenAI pending). The compendium is organised first by IP category then by significance themes. For deep judiciary exam preparation, master these cases — they form the operational vocabulary of Indian IP law.
1. PATENTS — Master Compendium
Case | Citation | Significance |
|---|---|---|
Novartis AG v. Union of India | AIR 2013 SC 1311; (2013) 6 SCC 1 | Section 3(d) upheld; therapeutic efficacy test; Glivec rejected. |
Bayer Corporation v. Natco Pharma | Patent Office 9 March 2012; IPAB March 2013 | INDIA'S FIRST AND ONLY COMPULSORY LICENCE; Sorafenib (Nexavar). |
Roche v. Cipla | 2009 (40) PTC 75 (Del) | Manufacturing not prerequisite for patent infringement; pre-launch threats sufficient. |
Telefonaktiebolaget v. Lava | 2024:DHC:2698 | WATERSHED SEP/FRAND; substantial damages; seven-step novelty. |
Telefonaktiebolaget v. Intex/Micromax/iBall/Karbonn/Xiaomi | 2014-2015 (Del HC + CCI) | Foundational SEP/FRAND series. |
Telefonaktiebolaget v. CCI | W.P(C) No. 464 of 2014 (Del HC 30 March 2016) | CCI jurisdiction over IP-related abuse. |
Monsanto Holdings v. CCI | May 2020 (Del HC) | CCI jurisdiction reaffirmed. |
CCI v. Ericsson + Monsanto SLP | Supreme Court (March 2024) | PENDING fundamental jurisdictional question. |
Ferid Allani v. UoI | 2019:DHC:6944 | TECHNICAL EFFECT TEST for Section 3(k). |
Microsoft v. Asst. Controller | 2023:DHC:3342 | Software patent framework. |
OpenTV v. Controller | 2023:DHC:3305 | Absolute bar on business method patents. |
Aventis v. Algreat | 3 February 2025 (Del HC) | ₹5L damages + 4 weeks imprisonment for contempt. |
Empagliflozin | HP HC 30 May 2024 | Credible challenge framework. |
Vifor v. MSN | CS(COMM) 159/2024 (Del HC) | First product-by-process patent claims judgment. |
Pidilite v. Premier Stationery | 2024 (Del HC) | ₹50L damages. |
Stephen Thaler v. Copyright Office | 2025 (Del HC) | AI authorship requires human element; 8-week directive. |
Engineering Analysis v. CIT | AIR 2021 SC 1394; (2022) 3 SCC 321 | Software NOT royalty under DTAAs. |
CRI Guidelines 2025 | 29 July 2025 | Three-step test for software/AI/IoT patents. |
2. TRADE MARKS — Master Compendium
Case | Citation | Significance |
|---|---|---|
Cadila Health Care v. Cadila Pharmaceuticals | (2001) 5 SCC 73 | Six-factor confusion test; FOUNDATIONAL. |
Amritdhara Pharmacy v. Satya Deo Gupta | AIR 1963 SC 449 | Average consumer with imperfect recollection. |
Durga Dutt Sharma v. Navaratna Pharmaceutical | AIR 1965 SC 980 | Anti-dissection rule. |
Pernod Ricard v. Karanveer Singh Chhabra | 2025 INSC 981 | COMPOSITE TEST for interim injunctions; Cadila reaffirmed. |
Yahoo! v. Akash Arora | 1999 PTC (19) 201 (Del) | Domain names as trademarks; cybersquatting framework. |
Coca-Cola v. Bisleri International | 2009 (41) PTC 587 (Del) | Cross-product dilution. |
ITC v. Central Park Estates | 2024 (Del HC) | Cross-sector well-known mark protection. |
Pernod Ricard v. Frost Falcon | 2018 SCC OnLine Del 11907 | Brand protection within same industry. |
Anil Kapoor v. Simply Life India | 2023 SCC OnLine Del 6914 | Personality rights against generative AI. |
Christian Louboutin v. Nakul Bajaj | 2018 SCC OnLine Del 12215 | Passive vs active e-commerce platforms. |
Kent RO v. Amit Kotak | 2017 SCC OnLine Del 7201 | E-commerce intermediary safe harbour. |
Pidilite v. Premier Stationery | 2024 (Del HC) | ₹50L damages. |
Himalaya Wellness v. Liv-333 | 2024 (Del HC, Justice Pushkarna) | Heightened scrutiny. |
Mars v. Cadbury "CELEBRATIONS" | 2025 (Del HC) | 25-year mediation settlement. |
Toshiba v. Tosiba Appliances | 2024 (Del HC) | 50-year trademark seniority case. |
WOW Momo v. WOW Burger | 2025 (Del HC) | Secondary meaning in composite marks. |
Aventis v. Algreat | 3 February 2025 (Del HC) | ₹5L + 4 weeks imprisonment for contempt. |
3. COPYRIGHT — Master Compendium
Case | Citation | Significance |
|---|---|---|
R.G. Anand v. Delux Films | AIR 1978 SC 1613; (1978) 4 SCC 118 | Substantial similarity test; idea-expression dichotomy. |
Eastern Book Company v. D.B. Modak | AIR 2008 SC 809; (2008) 1 SCC 1 | Modicum of creativity originality test. |
Cambridge University Press v. Rameshwari | 2016 SCC OnLine Del 5128 | Fair dealing for educational use; Section 52(1)(i). |
Myspace v. Super Cassettes | 2016 SCC OnLine Del 6382 | Foundational intermediary IP framework. |
Shreya Singhal v. UoI | AIR 2015 SC 1523 | Read down Section 79(3)(b); court order required. |
UTV v. 1337X.to | 2019 SCC OnLine Del 8002 | PIONEER dynamic injunctions. |
Microsoft v. Yogesh Papat | 2005 (30) PTC 245 (Del) | Software copyright enforcement. |
Time Inc. v. Lokesh Srivastava | 2005 (30) PTC 3 (Del) | EXEMPLARY damages. |
Super Cassettes v. Music Broadcast | (2012) 5 SCC 488 | Section 31 broadcasting compulsory licensing. |
IPRS v. Aditya Pandey | (2017) 11 SCC 437 | Performing rights framework. |
Anil Kapoor v. Simply Life India | 2023 SCC OnLine Del 6914 | Personality rights against generative AI. |
ANI Media v. OpenAI | CS(COMM) 1028/2024 (Del HC) | AI training; judgment reserved 2025. |
Stephen Thaler v. Copyright Office | 2025 (Del HC) | AI authorship 8-week directive. |
"Raghav" | 2020-2021 reversal | AI co-authorship rejected. |
Engineering Analysis v. CIT | AIR 2021 SC 1394; (2022) 3 SCC 321 | Software NOT royalty under DTAAs. |
Cinematograph (Amendment) Act 2023 | 2023 | Anti-piracy criminal provisions. |
4. DESIGNS AND GIs — Master Compendium
Case | Citation | Significance |
|---|---|---|
Bharat Glass Tube v. Gopal Glass Works | (2008) 10 SCC 657 | Designs Act framework + passing off. |
Microfibres v. Girdhar | 2009 (40) PTC 519 (Del) | 50-article rule (Section 15 Copyright Act). |
M.C. Jayasingh v. Mishra Dhatu Nigam | 2014 (Del HC) | Design innovation framework. |
Arjan Dugal v. Shubham Gandhi | 2025 (Del HC) | Combined design + copyright + trade secret ex parte. |
Tea Board v. ITC | Calcutta HC 2 February 2018 | GI registration restricted to GOODS only; Darjeeling Lounge. |
Scotch Whisky Association v. Universal Distilleries | 2008 (Del HC) | Foreign GI protection. |
Tea Board v. Republic of Tea | US 2010 | International GI recognition. |
Banglar Rasogolla GI Registration | 2017 | West Bengal traditional foods GI. |
5. TRADE SECRETS — Master Compendium
Case | Citation | Significance |
|---|---|---|
Rochem v. Rolex Rings | Bombay HC 2014 | SPECIFICITY rule for trade secret identification. |
John Richard Brady v. Chemical Process Equipment | AIR 1987 Del 372 | Indian breach of confidence framework. |
Niranjan Shankar Golikari v. Century Spinning | AIR 1967 SC 1098 | Restrictions DURING employment valid. |
Superintendence Co. v. Krishna Murgai | AIR 1981 SC 1717 | Post-employment non-compete INVALID under Section 27 ICA. |
American Express v. Priya Puri | 2006 SCC OnLine Del 638 | Confidentiality survives employment. |
Diljeet Titus v. Adebare | 2006 (32) PTC 609 (Del) | Professional services mobility framework. |
Wipro v. Beckman Coulter | 2006 SCC OnLine Del 1001 | Software industry mobility. |
Anil Gupta v. Kunal Dasgupta | 2002 (24) PTC 1 (Del) | Entertainment concept trade secret. |
Arjan Dugal v. Shubham Gandhi | 2025 (Del HC) | Combined trade secret + copyright + design. |
Saltman v. Campbell | (1948) 65 RPC 203 (UK) | Three-element confidence test (influence). |
Coco v. Clark | (1969) RPC 41 (UK) | Confidence framework refinement (influence). |
Waymo v. Uber | US 2018 | ~$245M settlement (autonomous vehicle). |
TCS v. CSC | US 2018 | Major Indian IT trade secret case. |
6. CONSTITUTIONAL + PUBLIC HEALTH — Master Compendium
Case | Citation | Significance |
|---|---|---|
Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. UoI | AIR 2017 SC 4161; (2017) 10 SCC 1 | Privacy fundamental under Article 21 (9-judge bench). |
Novartis AG v. UoI | AIR 2013 SC 1311; (2013) 6 SCC 1 | Section 3(d) constitutional. |
Bayer v. Natco | Patent Office 9 March 2012 | Article 21 + Section 84 compulsory licensing. |
Bandhua Mukti Morcha v. UoI | (1984) 3 SCC 161 | Health within Article 21. |
Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity | (1996) 4 SCC 37 | Emergency medical care as right. |
Empagliflozin | HP HC 30 May 2024 | Credible challenge framework. |
7. EMERGING TECH AND AI — Master Compendium
Case | Citation | Significance |
|---|---|---|
ANI Media v. OpenAI | CS(COMM) 1028/2024 (Del HC) | AI training; judgment reserved 2025. |
Stephen Thaler v. Copyright Office | 2025 (Del HC) | AI authorship; 8-week directive. |
Thaler v. Vidal | 43 F.4th 1207 (Fed. Cir. 2022) | US AI inventorship rejected. |
Thaler v. Comptroller-General | (2023) UKSC 49 | UK AI inventorship rejected. |
"Raghav" | 2020-2021 reversal | AI co-authorship rejected in India. |
Anil Kapoor v. Simply Life India | 2023 SCC OnLine Del 6914 | Personality rights against AI. |
Hermès v. Rothschild | S.D.N.Y. 2023 | NFT MetaBirkins $133K. |
BAYC v. Ryder Ripps | 2023 (US) | NFT trademark $1.6M+. |
Nike v. StockX | S.D.N.Y. 2022 | Sneaker NFT. |
Priya Randolph v. Deputy Controller | 2023 (Madras HC) | Blockchain patentability. |
Ab Initio v. Asst. Controller | 2024:DHC:5708 | Blockchain technical effect. |
Ferid Allani | 2019:DHC:6944 | TECHNICAL EFFECT TEST. |
Telefonaktiebolaget v. Lava | 2024:DHC:2698 | WATERSHED SEP/FRAND. |
8. ENFORCEMENT — Master Compendium
Case | Citation | Significance |
|---|---|---|
Tribunals Reforms Ordinance 2021 | 4 April 2021; Act August 2021 | IPAB ABOLITION. |
UTV v. 1337X.to | 2019 SCC OnLine Del 8002 | Pioneer dynamic injunctions. |
Aventis v. Algreat | 3 February 2025 (Del HC) | ₹5L + 4 weeks imprisonment for contempt. |
Pidilite v. Premier Stationery | 2024 (Del HC) | ₹50L damages. |
Time Inc. v. Lokesh Srivastava | 2005 (30) PTC 3 (Del) | Exemplary damages. |
Telefonaktiebolaget v. Lava | 2024:DHC:2698 | Watershed SEP damages. |
IPR Enforcement Rules 2018 Amendment | June 2018 | Patents removed from customs. |
Mars v. Cadbury | 2025 (Del HC) | 25-year mediation settlement. |
Cinematograph (Amendment) Act 2023 | 2023 | Anti-piracy provisions. |
9. INTERSECTIONS — Master Compendium
Case | Citation | Intersection |
|---|---|---|
Telefonaktiebolaget v. CCI | Del HC 30 March 2016 | IP + Competition. |
Monsanto v. CCI | Del HC May 2020 | IP + Competition. |
Engineering Analysis v. CIT | AIR 2021 SC 1394 | IP + Tax (DTAA). |
Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. UoI | AIR 2017 SC 4161 | IP + Privacy + Constitutional. |
Niranjan Shankar Golikari v. Century Spinning | AIR 1967 SC 1098 | IP + Labour (during employment). |
Krishna Murgai | AIR 1981 SC 1717 | IP + Labour (post-employment). |
Shreya Singhal v. UoI | AIR 2015 SC 1523 | IP + Free Speech + Internet. |
ANI v. OpenAI | 2024 (pending) | IP + AI + Privacy + Free Speech. |
Anil Kapoor v. Simply Life | 2023 | IP + Personality + AI. |
Bayer v. Natco | 2012 | IP + Constitutional + Public Health. |
Novartis | 2013 | IP + Constitutional + TRIPS. |
10. Memory Aid — The Top 30 Most-Cited
✅ Top 30 Indian IP Landmark Cases — Most-Cited 1. Novartis v. UoI (AIR 2013 SC 1311) — Section 3(d). 2. Bayer v. Natco (Patent Office 2012) — Compulsory Licence. 3. Roche v. Cipla (2009) — Pre-launch infringement. 4. Cadila v. Cadila (2001) 5 SCC 73 — Confusion test. 5. R.G. Anand v. Delux Films (1978) — Substantial similarity. 6. Eastern Book Co. v. Modak (2008) — Modicum of creativity. 7. Cambridge UP v. Rameshwari (2016) — Educational fair dealing. 8. Telefonaktiebolaget v. Lava (2024:DHC:2698) — SEP watershed. 9. Telefonaktiebolaget v. CCI (Del HC 2016) — Patent + Competition. 10. Justice Puttaswamy v. UoI (2017) — Privacy fundamental. 11. Shreya Singhal v. UoI (2015) — Section 79(3)(b) read down. 12. UTV v. 1337X.to (2019) — Dynamic injunctions. 13. Christian Louboutin v. Nakul Bajaj (2018) — E-commerce platforms. 14. Tea Board v. ITC (Cal HC 2018) — GI restricted to goods. 15. Bharat Glass Tube v. Gopal Glass Works (2008) — Designs framework. 16. Microfibres v. Girdhar (2009) — 50-article rule. 17. Niranjan Shankar Golikari (1967) — During employment restrictions. 18. Krishna Murgai (1981) — Post-employment non-compete invalid. 19. Engineering Analysis v. CIT (2021) — Software not royalty under DTAAs. 20. Pernod Ricard v. Karanveer (2025 INSC 981) — Composite test. 21. Anil Kapoor v. Simply Life (2023) — Personality rights AI. 22. Ferid Allani (2019:DHC:6944) — Technical effect test. 23. ANI Media v. OpenAI (CS(COMM) 1028/2024) — AI training pending. 24. Stephen Thaler v. Copyright Office (2025) — AI authorship. 25. Yahoo! v. Akash Arora (1999) — Domain names. 26. Coca-Cola v. Bisleri (2009) — Dilution. 27. Aventis v. Algreat (3 Feb 2025) — Contempt damages. 28. Pidilite v. Premier Stationery (2024) — ₹50L damages. 29. Mars v. Cadbury (2025) — Mediation settlement. 30. Arjan Dugal v. Shubham Gandhi (2025) — Combined IP ex parte. |
🎯 EXAM POINTERS — TOPIC 115 (Master Compendium)
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