Samsonite Corporation v. Vijay Sales and Anr, FSR (2000) 463:

FACTS:

Plaintiffs::

• The first plaintiff, Samsonite Corporation, is a company based in the United States:

• The second plaintiff, Samsonite India Pvt., Ltd., is a joint venture formed with Indian promoters:

Defendants::

• The first defendant, Vijay Sales, is a stockist in Connaught Place, New Delhi:

• The second defendant is Blowplast India Ltd., and the third defendant is V.I.P. Industries Ltd.:

The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants::

• Infringed their copyright in drawings related to suitcases:

• Engaged in passing off by imitating the trade dress of Samsonite suitcases:

They claimed that Samsonite Corporation was a market leader known for manufacturing high-quality luggage, including soft and hard luggage, backpacks, and more: They claimed that the defendants copied their distinctive design elements and trade dress:

ISSUE:

Was there design infringement and passing off of the plaintiff’s goods?:

HELD:

The court found in favor of the plaintiffs: It held that the defendants had infringed the plaintiff’s copyright in drawings and were passing off their goods: The defendants were imitating the distinctive trade dress used by Samsonite for its suitcases: The court granted relief to Samsonite, restraining the defendants from using similar designs and trade dress:

Video Summary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mcn08pivylU&list=PL1DBVyVi7EaCojbQa5_XKBVJqA1y1REh&index=6