ENA State 2025-07-02 16:02:13 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, Jul 2 (KNN) </strong>The Delhi High Court has breathed new life into Crocs Inc.'s legal battle against several Indian footwear companies for allegedly copying its signature foam clog design.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The court overturned a 2019 ruling that had dismissed Crocs' cases and ordered the lawsuits to be reconsidered on their merits.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Crocs, the US-based footwear giant, had filed multiple suits against companies like Bata India, Relaxo, Liberty Shoes, Action, Aqualite, and Bioworld Merchandising.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The brand claimed these firms were imitating the distinctive shape and perforated look of its clogs, thereby misleading consumers and harming its brand reputation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">A division bench comprising Justices C. Hari Shankar and Ajay Digpaul ruled that the earlier dismissal by a single judge was legally flawed. They directed that the matter be sent back to a single-judge bench for a full hearing.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Back in February 2019, the single judge had dismissed all six passing-off suits, arguing that Crocs was seeking continued trademark protection for a design that had only temporary protection under the Designs Act, 2000.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The court had also questioned the novelty of Crocs design, calling it a basic trade variant of a sandal and not worthy of exclusive rights.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">However, the division bench took a different view, stating that Crocs passing-off claims deserved a detailed review. The US firm maintains that its clog design qualifies for shape trademark protection, and that the alleged copying is misleading customers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">In trademark law, passing off refers to the practice of one company imitating anothers branding or product look to gain unfair advantage, especially when the original product does not hold a registered trademark.</span></p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:14px">(KNN Bureau)</span></strong></em></p> 42662 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/state/delhi-high-court-revives-crocs-lawsuit-against-indian-footwear-brands-over-design-copying 2025-07-02 16:02:13 knnindia.co.in