HC restrains portal from using 'Vistara' on products; says it poses security threat

An aviation studies portal has been restrained from offering counterfeit 'Vistara' branded products by the Delhi High Court, which said that it posed security risks at airports as it is a distinctive Tata-SIA airline trademark in the airline industry.

The high court said that Pilot 18 Aviation Book Store, which operates the web portal www.pilot18.com, was not just selling products bearing the mark 'Vistara' but also products of various other airlines including Jet Airways, SpiceJet and Air India and this posed a serious security threat.

Justice Prathiba M Singh directed Pilot 18 to pay Rs 2 lakh as cost to the operator of Vistara Airlines within a month.

The court's order came while deciding a suit filed by Tata SIA Airlines Ltd seeking to restrain the portal from using its trademarks and selling badges, name tags and other accessories, including mugs and baggage tags, bearing the mark 'Vistara' with an identical device mark/logo form.

The plaintiff said it came to know in February ...