The Supreme Court of India has upheld a lower court’s ruling and dismissed Hilton Internationals plea seeking exclusive rights to the “Hilton” trade mark in India.
At issue here is a company, Hotel Hilltone, which was founded in 1973 and based in Sirohi Rajasthan. The high court had upheld an order of the district court restraining Hilton International from using its trade mark as it has 'deceptive similarity' with Hotel Hilltone. So it would appear that Hilton cannot use its name in India
"We see no reason to interfere in the matter. The special leave petition is dismissed," an apex court bench of justices Aftab Alam and R M Lodha said.
The lower court had restrained the international hospitality group from using any kind of "misleading logo and mark" which has potential to cause confusion among the general public and directed it not to carry on the business of hotel and food items under "such duplicate trademark".