The Delhi High Court has referred a trademark dispute filed by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, against Dharma Productions to mediation. The suit challenges the unauthorized use of MSF’s trademark in a scene from the Alia Bhatt-starrer film Jigra.
MSF raised objections to a particular scene where the film’s characters impersonate MSF representatives to illegally cross international borders. The organization contended that such a depiction tarnishes its reputation and goodwill by creating a misleading impression that impersonating MSF personnel for illegal activities is possible. MSF argued that this portrayal dilutes their trademark and damages their image as a neutral, independent humanitarian organization.
Justice Mini Pushkarna, after hearing preliminary submissions, directed both parties to appear before the Mediation Centre on December 24, 2024. The matter will be taken up again by the Court on January 30, 2025 for further proceedings.
Advocate Shwetashree Majumdar, representing MSF, justified the suit’s maintainability before the Delhi High Court, citing that the movie had been screened in a Delhi theater.
The mediation aims to resolve MSF’s concerns about trademark misuse and its potential negative impact on their humanitarian mission.
Read Also;