New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has restrained a local firm from using the trademark and logo of US-based auto major Ford Motor.

"Plaintiff (Ford Motor) has made out a prima facie case and in case ad interim injunction orders are not granted at this stage, irretrievable prejudice would be caused to the plaintiff apart from deception to the public at large," Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said, while hearing a suit filed by Ford Motor.

"Till the next date of hearing, the defendant (Gold Plus Glasses India Ltd) shall not manufacture, advertise or sell windshields or any other connected product under the trademark Ford and/or Ford logo," the court said.

The court passed the interim order on a suit filed through Ford's counsel Praveen Anand who contended that the use of Ford name and logo by Gold Plus Glasses India amounts to infringement of its statutory rights.

The automobile giant said it came to know in July this year that a Delhi-based firm was manufacturing and marketing different kind of windshields, bearing Ford logo, that were suitable for Ford cars as well as other cars.

The city-based firm is manufacturing these goods bearing Ford mark from its factory in Sonepat and Noida, the petition said.

Ford Motor derives its tradename and trademark from its founder Henry T Ford and the company has exclusive right to use both tradename and logo in almost 200 countries of the world including India, the counsel said.

Contending that Ford trademark and logo are well known among members of trade and general public in India, Ford Motor said the unauthorised use would cause confusion and deception in the minds of consumers believing that goods and services have some connection with the carmaker.

Source : PTI