Delhi High Court Orders Amazon to Pay $39 Million for Trademark Violation

The Delhi High Court has ruled against Amazon, ordering one of its units to pay $39 million (over ₹337 crore) in damages for trademark infringement. The case was filed by Lifestyle Equities, the owner of the Beverly Hills Polo Club (BHPC) horse trademark, which alleged that Amazon India was selling apparel featuring a similar logo at lower prices.

Delhi High Court Orders Amazon to Pay $39 Million for Trademark Violation

In its 85-page judgment, the court stated that the infringing brand belonged to Amazon Technologies and was being sold on the Amazon India platform. Legal experts have termed this a landmark decision in Indian trademark law against a major US-based corporation.

Landmark Ruling in Indian Trademark Law Against US E-Commerce Giant

The ruling imposed a permanent injunction against Amazon, preventing it from selling products bearing the disputed logo. The court noted that Amazon had willfully and deliberately infringed BHPC’s trademark, further pointing out that the company sells its own apparel under the ‘SYMBOL’ brand, which featured the contested horse logo.

The judgment also emphasized that Amazon, being one of the world's largest e-commerce players, has the resources and market dominance to promote its own products. This, the court noted, increases the responsibility on the company to ensure that it does not misuse its influence to push counterfeit or infringing products.

Trademark experts believe this ruling will set a strong precedent in India’s legal landscape, especially in cases where global e-commerce firms are accused of intellectual property violations. It could also encourage stricter enforcement of trademark protections in India’s rapidly expanding digital marketplace.

Meanwhile, Amazon India has refuted any wrongdoing but has yet to issue an official statement on the ruling. The company has faced similar lawsuits in the past, including in the United Kingdom, where it lost an appeal in 2023 for violating British trademark laws.

Industry analysts predict that Amazon may appeal the decision, but the ruling underscores the growing scrutiny on multinational corporations operating in India.