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.

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

• 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.

Written from the document by AI, and checked against it. The original below is authoritative.

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