Burger King Corporation Loses 13-Year Legal Battle to Pune Eatery

US-based Burger King Corporation has lost a 13-year-old legal battle against a local eatery in Pune, Maharashtra. The court dismissed the trademark infringement suit, noting that the Pune eatery had been operating under the 'Burger King' name since 1992, predating the US giant's entry into the Indian market.

US giant Burger King Corporation has lost a 13-year-old legal battle against its namesake eatery in Maharashtra's Pune after a district court dismissed a suit filed by the company alleging trademark infringement.

Pune district judge Sunil Vedpathak said the city-based eatery 'Burger King' was operating even before the US burger joint opened in India, and the latter failed to prove the local outlet had infringed its trademark.

The court dismissed the 2011 suit by Burger King Corporation, seeking an injunction and Rs 20 lakh in damages, emphasizing that the plaintiff failed to provide evidence of customer confusion or actual damages.

(With inputs from agencies.)