MOHAN MEAKIN BRWERIES LIMITED Vs. SOUTH WHISKY ASSOCIATION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The short point that arises for determination in this appeal is whether the brand name 'Highland Chief used in relation to the product described as "Malted Whisky" along with a device of the head and shoulders of a Scottish gentleman wearing feather bonnet and plaid and the tartan edging gives the impression that the product in relation to which it is used comes from. Scottland and is thus likely to deceive or confuse the unwary purchaser in India.

(2.) Facts relevant for the purpose are these. Dyer Meakin Breweries Limited (now Mohan Meakin Breweries Limited), hereinafter referred to as the appellant, is a company incorporated under the Indian Companies Act, 1914, manufacturing various types of liquors and having its registered office at Solan in Himachal Pradesh. The appellant filed an application with the Trade Mark Registry seeking Registration of a trade-mark consisting of a label, inter alia, portraying in vivid colours the bust of what appears to be a Scottish soldier with the words "Highland Chief" in class 33 in respect of Whisky. The application was accepted by the Assistant Registrar and advertised in the Trade Mark Journal on October 16, 1964. The Scotch Whisky Association, (hereinafter referred as the respondent), an Association incorporated under the English Companies Act, 1948, having its registered office at Edinburgh, Scotland, which does not itself carry on trade but includes amongst its members the leading producers and sellers of Scotch Whisky and has one of the principal aims to protect the interests of the producers and sellers of Scotch Whisky and take action for the purpose of restraining the sale of any product which deceives the purchaser into believing that it is Scotch Whisky when it is not, in fact the case, filed opposition to the said application on February 11, 1965. It was contended, inter alia, that the description "Scotch Whisky" was not generic but related solely to the geographical origin of the product and meant whisky distilled in Scotland and the words "Highland Chief", when used in relation to malted whisky, would be assumed by purchasers to relate to a product of Scotland since the highlands of Scotland are an area world-famous for the production of Whisky. It was also stated that the impression created by the words "Highland Chief" would be confirmed as the label bore prominently the device of the head and shoulders of a gentleman dressed in Scottish Highland costume wearing, inter alia, feather bonnet and plaid and edged with tartan, well-known symbol of Scottish origin. It was submitted that the mark in question was one the use of which was likely to deceive or cause confusion.

(3.) In the .counter statement filed by the appellant, the status and functions of the respondent were not challenged and it was conceded that the description "Scotch Whisky" meant whisky distilled in Scotland and that the description could only be used in relation to a product wholly distilled in Scotland. It was, however, pleaded that the label bore the name and place of manufacture and bottling in bold letters and set forth that the produce was a product of India and, therefore, no consideration of deception or confusion at all could arise.