The Delhi High Court on Friday (July 10, 2026) issued notice to Hindware on Google’s appeal against an order holding the latter guilty of trademark infringement over the use of the sanitaryware’s brand name as a keyword for its AdWords programme.
A Bench of Justice V. Kameswar Rao and Justice Manmeet P. S. Arora issued notice to Hindware on Google’s appeal against the single judge’s May 22 decision, who also directed the platform to pay ₹30 lakh as damages to Hindware. The court listed the matter for hearing on July 24.
Refusing to interfere with the judgment at this stage, the Bench said, “We will have it on July 24 for final disposal.”
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi appeared for the appellant and sought interim stay of the direction to pay damages. He argued that the judgment was not in line with the earlier decisions and globally acceptable practices in the field.
In early 2013, Hindware Limited discovered that its rival sanitaryware companies, Grohe India Private Limited and Cera Sanitaryware Limited, had purchased the trademark ‘Hindware’ as a keyword through Google’s AdWords programme.
So whenever a consumer searched for the word ‘Hindware’ on Google, the first result that appeared was Cera’s website. When someone searched ‘Hindware Sanitary’ or ‘Hindware Sanitaryware’, the first result was Grohe’s website.
Hindware argued that its registered and well-known trademark was being used by Google which offered or suggested it to competitors, or any other entity, to generate advertisements. Hindware said this was being done without its prior consent or approval.
The single judge ruled in favour of Hindware restraining Google from using the name ‘Hindware’ or any combination of related words as part of advertising keywords.
It observed that Google’s conduct amounted to “free-riding” as it monetised on the investments made by the trademark owner, over the years. By actively suggesting, prompting and auctioning trademarks to third parties, the judge said Google rode on the goodwill of the trademark’s reputation, sold off the power of the mark in attracting consumers to other rivals, increase enrolment in its own AdWords Policy, and earn more profits.
Published - July 10, 2026 04:53 pm IST