High Court rules against Google in Hindware trademark keyword case

This is a judgment by the High Court of Delhi resolving trademark infringement and passing off suits filed by Hindware Ltd. against competitors (Grohe, Cera) and Google (Google India and Google LLC) regarding the use of the 'HINDWARE' trademark as a paid keyword in Google AdWords. It matters to citizens as it addresses the legal boundaries of using competitors' brand names in online search advertising.

Who it concerns: Hindware Ltd. (Plaintiff), Grohe India Pvt Ltd, Google India Pvt Ltd, Google LLC, Omkara Infoweb Pvt Ltd, and Cera Sanitaryware Limited (Defendants).

What the document says

• The High Court of Delhi pronounced the judgment on 22nd May, 2026.
• The suits were filed seeking a permanent injunction against the violation of the plaintiff's rights in the registered mark 'HINDWARE', including passing off, unfair competition, and dilution.
• The plaintiff (Hindware Ltd.) is in the business of sanitaryware products and has held the registered mark 'HINDWARE' since 1991.
• The defendants Grohe India Pvt Ltd and Cera Sanitaryware Limited were found to have purchased the plaintiff's registered trademark 'HINDWARE' as keywords in the Google AdWords Programme.
• The use of these keywords resulted in the competitors' websites appearing as the first result when consumers searched for 'HINDWARE' on Google.
• Settlements were recorded between the plaintiff and Grohe (dated 24th Nov 2015) and between the plaintiff and Cera (dated 03rd Mar 2019), leading to decrees against these specific defendants.
• The suits are being pursued against the contesting defendants, Google India and Google LLC, following the settlements with the other parties.

Also in the document

• The plaintiff claimed to hold 40% of the market share in the organized sector of the Indian sanitaryware industry at the time of filing.
• The plaintiff reported total sales in excess of Rs. 500 Crores for the year 2011-12 and advertisement expenditure in excess of Rs. 50 Crores for the same period.
• The document notes that Google Inc. changed its name to Google LLC, which was recorded by the Court in November 2017.