Date:05/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/05/stories/2007060506590400.htm

New Delhi

Hotelier told to pay damages to Hilton group

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has directed a Kerala-based hotelier to pay Rs 23.59 lakh as damages to Hilton International for illegally using a trade name similar to that of the international hotel chain.

Hilton International Company had sued hotelier K. V. Kumar for using the name "Hilten" to promote his business, alleging that it was deceptively similar to its globally popular brand "Hilton".

Justice G. S. Sistani granted a permanent injunction in favour of Hilton Group while restraining Mr. Kumar from using the name "Hilten" or any other mark deceptively similar to the popular trademark "Hilton".

While awarding damages, the court said it must be paid with six per cent interest.

Hilton in its petition filed through advocate Pravin Anand in 2003 submitted that it was the exclusive owner of the Hilton brand worldwide, including India. The hospitality giant argued that the Indian entrepreneur tried to give an impression that his hotel was connected to the Hilton Group.