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Informist, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026

 

NEW DELHI – The Bombay High Court has restrained Anrose Pharma from manufacturing, selling or using names for its medicines similar to Ipca Laboratories Ltd.'s 'Zerodol'. The court asked Anrose Pharma to pay INR 1.5 million to Ipca Laboratories as punitive damages. If the amount is not paid within eight weeks, interest at the rate of 8% will be applicable, the court said.

 

'Zerodol' is a brand name for a prescription medication used to relieve pain, swelling, and inflammation. It is primarily a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and is available in several formulations, each containing different active ingredients. 

 

The high court said that perusal of Anrose Pharma's 'Zerovol-P' mark shows it is virtually identical to Ipca Laboratories' 'Zerodol' trademark. Anrose Pharma has not even attempted to, in any manner, justify its adoption and use of the mark 'Zerovol-P' or that the defendant has any other defence available under the law, the court said.

 

Adoption of the mark by Anrose Pharma is subsequent to Ipca Laboratories' registration and use in 2003, the court said. Thus, adoption and use of the mark 'Zerovol-P' by Anrose Pharma is plainly dishonest and without any due cause, and constitutes infringement of Ipca Laboratories' statutory rights, said the court. 

 

The high court said that since both the marks were being used in respect of medicinal or pharmaceutical products, the likelihood of confusion was imminent. "Hence, the plaintiff has made out a case for infringement of its trade mark and for passing off," said the court.

 

The petitioner said that in 1992 it had coined the 'Zerodol' trademark in respect of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparation and put it to use in 2003. The petitioner currently markets more than 10 pharmaceutical combinations under the trade mark containing the word 'Zerodol' as an essential feature. In 2013, the petitioner came across Anrose Pharma's product bearing the mark 'Zerovol-P' being sold in the market. Ipca Laboratories said that the defendant was using the mark only with a view to trade upon and cash in on the goodwill and reputation of the plaintiff's registered mark. Consequently, the petitioner filed a permanent injunction suit against Anrose Pharma.

 

At 1429 IST, shares of Ipca Laboratories were up 3.3% at INR 1,460.00 on the National Stock Exchange.  End

 

IST, or Indian Standard Time, is five-and-a-half hours ahead of GMT

 

Reported by Surya Tripathi

Edited by Avishek Dutta

 

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