On June 2, 2025, the Delhi High Court officially recognized “Ritz” and “Ritz-Carlton” as well-known trademarks in India’s hotel and hospitality sector. This decision was rendered by Justice Amit Bansal in the case The Ritz Hotel Limited & Ors. v. MS Hotel Ritz & Ors. .

Well-Known Trademark Status: The court acknowledged that the “Ritz” and “Ritz-Carlton” marks, operated by the Paris-based Ritz Hotel Limited, have achieved well-known status under Section 2(1)(zg) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999. This recognition is based on their extensive use, global reputation, and significant goodwill in India.

egal Action Against Infringement: The ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed by Ritz Hotel Limited against MS Hotel Ritz, which was operating the website www.ritz-hotels.com and offering reservations through third-party platforms. The court found that this usage infringed upon the established trademarks.

Permanent Injunction: The Delhi High Court issued a permanent injunction, restraining the defendants from using the “Ritz” or “Ritz-Carlton” marks and ordered the immediate discontinuation of the infringing website.

Supporting Evidence: The court considered various factors, including trademark registrations in India, media references to Ritz hotels, visits by Indian dignitaries to The Ritz Paris, and the brand’s presence in films and literature, to establish the marks’ well-known status.

This ruling underscores the importance of protecting internationally renowned trademarks within India and sets a precedent for future intellectual property rights enforcement in the hospitality industry.

sources