Latest news with #SaurabhBanerjee
Mint
17 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Nokia moves high court over rejection of 5G network slicing patent
Nokia Technologies, a subsidiary of Finnish multinational Nokia Corp., has approached the Delhi High Court challenging the Indian Patent Office's refusal to grant its patent for an 'enhanced registration procedure' designed to support its advanced 5G network slicing technology in India. On 17 July, Justice Saurabh Banerjee issued notice to the assistant controller of patents and designs, directing a response to Nokia's plea. The matter is scheduled for further hearing in November. Network slicing lets telecom companies divide one network into many separate parts, like creating different lanes on a highway. Each slice is used for different things, such as faster internet for phones, special connections for hospitals, or smooth gaming. This makes the internet faster, safer, and more reliable. The counsel for the patent office sought six weeks to file a reply, according to the court order. Any rejoinder, if required, can be filed within four weeks after that, the order said. Nokia's petition challenges the 8 January order of the assistant controller of patents, which rejected its invention on the grounds of lack of novelty, stating that the innovation already exists. Filed on 19 October, Nokia's patent claimed a faster, more secure method for devices to register on dedicated 5G network slices by immediately invoking third-party authentication during the registration ('attach') process. This approach, Nokia argued, ensures smoother and more secure connections, especially for enterprise-owned slices needing additional checks. The company said its method avoids devices attempting to access slices without proper authentication, enhancing overall network efficiency and security. Nokia also informed the patent office that similar patents had been approved in the United States, Japan, and South Korea, proving its international recognition However, the Indian Patent Office rejected all claims. It cited 3GPP's technical standard document D1 as prior art, stating that similar methods were already described, making Nokia's idea neither new nor inventive. The office added that the invention was purely software-based without any new hardware implementation, thus non-patentable under Section 3(k) of the Patents Act. Further reasons included unclear claim language, multiple dependent claims creating ambiguity, and failure to file updated disclosures within prescribed timelines. Due to these issues—lack of novelty, obviousness, software-only nature, unclear claims, and documentation non-compliance—the patent was refused despite Nokia's arguments An emailed query sent to Nokia Technologies remained unanswered till press time. Network slicing originated as a concept developed by telecom industry researchers and was standardized by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) as part of global 5G standards (from Release 15 onward). 3GPP is a global collaboration of telecom standards organizations that develops technical standards for mobile networks. Leading telecom vendors including Nokia, Ericsson, Huawei, and Samsung have developed commercial network slicing solutions. Major operators such as Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Vodafone, BT, Deutsche Telekom, China Mobile, and SK Telecom are actively deploying or testing it worldwide. Recently, Google Fiber announced that its customers may soon get more control over their home internet. On 30 June, Google Fiber said it has partnered with Nokia to test network slicing, which lets users create dedicated lanes for specific activities like gaming or video calls. Countries with live or pilot deployments include the US, the UK, Germany, Japan, South Korea, China, and parts of Europe, with applications spanning factories, ports, healthcare, and premium broadband services.
India Gazette
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
Delhi HC restrains Kuku FM from streaming new episodes amid Pocket FM's copyright lawsuit
New Delhi [India], July 10 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Thursday restrained audio platform Kuku FM from airing new episodes, acting on allegations of copyright and trademark infringement raised by rival Pocket FM. Pocket FM has filed a lawsuit seeking 10 million dollars (approximately Rs 80 crore) in damages, alleging over 30 instances of unauthorised copying by Kuku FM. The order was passed by Justice Saurabh Banerjee, who directed Kuku FM not to release any further episodes of the contested shows and to submit details related to the content in question. Senior Advocate Amit Sibal, appearing for Pocket FM and briefed by law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, argued that Kuku FM had engaged in 'wholesale and systematic copying' of Pocket FM's original content, including show titles, characters, posters, and entire storylines. He emphasised that Pocket FM had spent years developing a robust content strategy, which Kuku FM was now exploiting for unfair commercial gain. Among the examples presented, Sibal pointed out that Kuku FM had replicated Pocket FM's popular show Shoorveer, including the use of an almost identical poster, indicating clear and deliberate imitation. In another instance, Kuku FM allegedly uploaded full episodes of Insta Millionaire, retaining Pocket FM's branding in the voiceover, instructing listeners to log in to the Pocket FM app. To preserve key evidence, Pocket FM has also sought the appointment of a local commissioner to inspect Kuku FM's platform and prevent tampering. Sibal further argued that despite facing multiple lawsuits in the past, Kuku FM continues to copy content without any justification or corrective measures. In response, Kuku FM's counsel, Advocate Saikrishna Rajagopal, contended that the shows had been available on its platform since June 2024 and claimed that Pocket FM's legal action was delayed. He argued that the plaintiff had not made a clear case for urgent interim relief. Nevertheless, the Court restrained Kuku FM from airing new episodes and listed the matter for further hearing on August 29. (ANI)
India.com
09-07-2025
- Business
- India.com
Good news for Mukesh Ambani, Isha Ambani as Delhi HC restrains misuse of…, set to affect…
The Delhi High Court has issued an order restraining several individuals and entities from misusing Reliance Retail's 'Tira' trademark, after the reports of impersonation and financial fraud. In May 2025, Reliance discovered a scam in which fraudsters posed as Tira representatives through WhatsApp and phone calls who also used fake IDs and promotional offers to cheat with customers into making duplicate UPI payments, reported Bar and Bench. Reliance Retail's 'Tira' Mark Misused Justice Saurabh Banerjee passed the ex parte ad-interim injunction on July 7, 2025, in a trademark case filed by Reliance Retail. The Court stated that the scam was found in a pan-India character, wherein 8,919 consumer complaints were registered in two months where in 666 were from in Delhi alone. Reliance Retail's Stand Against Scam Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, represented Reliance Retail by submitting that its beauty and personal care brand Tira was launched in April 2023 and has acquired substantial goodwill. In May 2025, Reliance found a large-scale scam involving unidentified individuals impersonating Tira representatives through WhatsApp and phone calls. According to the company, the fraudsters used fake ID cards, bogus promotional offers, and false claims of failed transactions or order issues to trick customers into making duplicate payments via UPI and QR codes. The Court noted that the scam was being executed in a premeditated and coordinated manner using multiple rogue mobile numbers and fake digital identities. ' The manner of execution of the aforesaid financial scam… carries the potential of significant harm and detriment,' the Court said. It also observed that the use of marks identical to that of Tira created confusion and deception among consumers. The Court directed that Defendant No.1 (impersonators) and all associated persons are restrained from using the Tira trademark and its variants, including deceptively similar marks.
Mint
08-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Birkenstock takes on fake sandal makers with court-ordered raids in Delhi, Agra — ‘They seem like cheap knock-off'
German footwear giant Birkenstock has launched an infringement lawsuit against counterfeiters in India, which has led to inspections of small-scale factories in areas across New Delhi and Agra in recent weeks. The factory visits were conducted by Indian court-appointed legal representatives with the aim of seizing suspected fake Birkenstock footwear. This is not an isolated case, as other International shoemakers are also in the news for battling intellectual property infringement in the Indian market. Birkenstock's crackdown began with an internal investigation that found that counterfeits were being made in rural areas across New Delhi and Agra, which is home to the iconic Taj Mahal. These fakes were sold locally and also exported to other countries, Reuters reported. These incidents prompted the shoemaker to file an infringement lawsuit in the Delhi High Court against four footwear traders, four factories and two unnamed individuals in May. In other instances of a similar case, Crocs this month secured a court nod to pursue a nine-year-old infringement case, while Prada is facing heat over displaying sandals similar to ethnic Indian footwear without giving any credit to India. On May 26, the Delhi High Court judge Saurabh Banerjee issued an order, saying that 10 local lawyers were appointed as commissioners to visit the suspected factories. The judge said that these commissioners have the power to "seize, pack and seal the infringing products". His order included photographs that Birkenstock submitted showing the alleged counterfeit footwear and shoe boxes with the company's branding. The visit reports were submitted confidentially to the judge, awaiting the next hearing which is scheduled for October 6. Banerjee said in his May order that he reviewed photographs and samples of the alleged counterfeit products in court, and they "seem like a cheap knock-off" of Birkenstock products. "There is all likelihood of the public getting deceived,' he said, adding that the differences, hardly any, are not something that can be noticed by the naked eye, Reuters reported. The shoe brand was once popular among hippies, tech enthusiasts and medical professionals. It gained popularity when Australian actress Margot Robbie wore a pair of pink Birkenstocks in the ending scene of the 2023 hit movie "Barbie". In February, a German court said Birkenstock sandals do not qualify as art and are therefore not protected by copyright, dismissing a lawsuit brought by the German company. In India, Birkenstock footwear for women is priced between ₹ 3,900 and ₹ 20,000, the news agency reported.
India Gazette
08-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Birkenstock steps up legal battle over fakes in India
NEW DELHI, India: Birkenstock is stepping up its efforts to protect its iconic sandals in India, as local legal representatives conducted court-ordered raids on factories suspected of producing fakes. The German shoemaker is pursuing legal action to counter growing counterfeit activity tied to its popular footwear. According to people familiar with the matter, court-appointed lawyers recently inspected several small-scale factories in India to seize suspected counterfeit Birkenstock products. The move comes after Birkenstock filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in the Delhi High Court in May, naming four traders, four factories, and two unnamed individuals. The inspections follow similar intellectual property disputes involving major fashion brands in India. Earlier this month, Crocs was allowed to proceed with a long-running infringement case, while Prada has faced backlash over using sandal designs similar to traditional Indian footwear. Birkenstock's legal complaint stated that its internal investigation found fakes were being manufactured in rural regions near Agra—home to the Taj Mahal—and then sold domestically and exported. On May 26, Delhi judge Saurabh Banerjee issued a sealed order, now public, authorising ten local lawyers to act as court commissioners and inspect the suspected sites. The judge allowed them to "seize, pack and seal the infringing products", citing photographs submitted by Birkenstock showing imitation sandals and boxes bearing its logo. The inspections were conducted in Agra and New Delhi. Three sources confirmed that the raids are complete and confidential reports have been submitted to the court. The next hearing is scheduled for October 6. Birkenstock and its legal counsel from Lall and Sethi declined to comment on the matter, citing the ongoing litigation. Judge Banerjee, in his order, said the sample footwear reviewed in court "seem like a cheap knock off" and warned the alleged counterfeits could easily mislead buyers. "There is all likelihood of the public getting deceived ... The differences, hardly if any, are not something which can be discernible to the naked eyes," he wrote. Birkenstock sandals, once favoured by hippies and healthcare workers, gained fresh pop culture status when Margot Robbie wore pink Birkenstocks in the final scene of the 2023 hit film Barbie. The company has also faced legal battles elsewhere. In February, a German court ruled that Birkenstock sandals do not qualify as art, rejecting copyright protections. In India, Birkenstock women's footwear is priced between US$46 and $233.
