Delhi High Court rules Google liable for Hindware trademark

A recent ruling by the Delhi High Court has found Google liable for trademark infringement, a decision that could reshape the competitive landscape of online advertising in India. On May 22, Justice Mini Pushkarna ruled that Google infringed the trademark of bathroom fittings manufacturer Hindware by allowing rival companies to bid on the brand name as a keyword within its Google Ads platform. The court ordered Google to pay ₹3 lakh (approximately $3,600) in nominal damages and permanently restrained the company from allowing the “Hindware” trademark to be used as an advertising keyword.

The case originated over a decade ago when Hindware discovered competitors were purchasing its brand name as a keyword, causing their advertisements to appear prominently when users searched for “Hindware.” The company argued this practice diverted customers and eroded its brand value. While the competing advertisers settled with Hindware, the legal action proceeded against Google.

In its defense, Google argued it acted as a passive intermediary, merely providing a platform where advertisers independently select keywords. The company also noted its global policy prohibits competitors from using...