In a landmark judgment dated February 25, 2025, the Delhi High Court has held Amazon Technologies Inc. and its affiliates liable for trademark infringement by allowing counterfeit “Beverly Hills Polo Club (BHPC)” products to be sold on its Indian platform. The Court awarded a massive compensation of ₹336 crore (approx. $39 million) to the rightful trademark owner, Lifestyle Equities CV, marking one of the highest monetary awards in an Indian IP case.
The dispute centered around unauthorized sellers offering goods bearing deceptively similar marks and branding as BHPC on Amazon’s marketplace. Lifestyle Equities, the registered proprietor of the BHPC trademark in India, filed the suit after discovering repeated violations despite previously notifying Amazon. The core contention was that Amazon not only hosted the listings but also actively facilitated their sale, packaging, and delivery, thus exceeding the protections offered to “intermediaries” under Section 79 of the IT Act.
The Court, presided by Justice Prathiba M. Singh, rejected Amazon’s argument that it was merely a platform hosting third-party sellers. Instead, it held that Amazon had assumed an active role in promoting, fulfilling, and profiting from the infringing listings, thereby becoming a direct infringer. It was noted that despite being notified multiple times, Amazon failed to take reasonable or timely action to remove the counterfeit listings.
Crucially, the Court differentiated between passive platforms (which might qualify for safe harbor protection) and e-commerce entities that are deeply embedded in the end-to-end transaction. Since Amazon provided warehousing, payment, and logistics support for these listings, it could not evade responsibility by claiming intermediary status. The Court emphasized that a digital marketplace has a legal duty to prevent trademark violations when it has knowledge of the same.
Apart from the financial penalty, a permanent injunction was granted, barring Amazon from allowing any third-party or associated seller to offer products under the BHPC mark without proper authorization. The judgment reinforces the evolving jurisprudence in India that seeks to impose higher compliance obligations on e-commerce platforms and digital sellers, especially when IP rights are involved.
For businesses, the ruling serves as a powerful reminder of the value of registered trademarks and the legal remedies available against digital infringement. It also illustrates the Indian judiciary's readiness to adapt IP enforcement mechanisms to modern trade environments.
📌 Legal Case Reference
Case Title: Lifestyle Equities CV & Anr. v. Amazon Technologies Inc. & Ors.
Court: Delhi High Court
Judge: Justice Prathiba M. Singh
Case No.: CS(COMM) 443/2020
Date of Judgment: February 25, 2025
This judgment is expected to influence how platforms like Flipkart, Meesho, JioMart, and even social commerce operators handle brand verification, takedowns, and IP compliance going forward. It also sets a precedent for stronger brand protection enforcement in India, encouraging more brands to register their trademarks early, monitor infringements, and assert their rights through legal channels.
If you're a brand owner selling online, don't wait for infringement to happen. Secure your trademark, implement platform monitoring, and take action before someone else profits off your identity.
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