Milma Wins ₹1 Crore Trademark Infringement Case: A Milestone in Brand Protection
June 18, 2025
In a significant judgment reinforcing the strength of trademark law in India, the Principal Commercial Court has awarded ₹1 crore in damages to Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (Milma) in a case of trademark and packaging design infringement by a private dairy brand, Milnna.
The ruling, delivered in response to a complaint filed by Milma, sets a strong legal precedent and serves as a warning to businesses attempting to copy or mimic established brands in an attempt to mislead consumers.
The Case at a Glance
Milma, one of India’s largest and most trusted dairy cooperatives, filed a lawsuit against the private brand Milnna for using deceptively similar trademarks and packaging, particularly in milk sachets. According to Milma’s complaint, the imitation extended not only to the name “Milnna” phonetically similar to “Milma” but also to the visual design of the product packaging, which could potentially confuse consumers and exploit Milma’s market reputation.
The court agreed.
In its verdict, the Commercial Court:
Restrained Milnna from selling, advertising, or marketing any milk or related products using similar trademarks or packaging;
Ordered the defendant to pay ₹1 crore in damages, along with 6% penal interest from the date of the order;
Directed the payment of ₹8,18,410 as court fee.
Why This Verdict Matters
This judgment marks a decisive moment in Indian IP jurisprudence and underscores the importance of vigilant trademark enforcement.
K.S. Mani, Chairman of Milma, welcomed the ruling, stating:
“This decision comes as a stern warning against attempts to deceive consumers by fake brands, and tarnish the image of Milma.”
Milma’s victory sends a strong message: trademark infringement will not go unchecked, especially when it affects long-standing cooperative institutions that represent thousands of farmers and consumers.
What Brand Owners Should Learn from This Case
This case highlights several crucial lessons for businesses:
Trademark protection extends beyond logos, even the packaging design and phonetic similarity of names can qualify as infringement.
The commercial courts in India are taking a firmer stance on IP violations, especially when consumer deception is evident.
A well-established brand has the legal right and duty to defend its identity, not just for itself but also to protect consumers from being misled.
IP Master’s Takeaway
At IP Master, we continuously stress that trademark registration is only the first step. Active monitoring, strategic enforcement, and legal preparedness are essential to truly protect your brand.
This case is a textbook example of how swift legal action and solid evidence can result in strong protection of IP rights even leading to significant financial compensation.
If your brand is facing imitation or misuse or you want to avoid legal missteps like Milnna connect with IP Master. We offer complete trademark filing, watch, enforcement, and advisory services led by licensed professionals.
Author: Siju Rajan
Registered Trademark agent