Monday, February 14 2005 10:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: In a relief to Infosys, the Delhi High Court has restrained an IT placement firm from using the brand name of the IT major for carrying out its activities.

Justice SK Agrawal in an ex-parte interim order directed the Chennai-based firm Alfha Infosys India (AII) not to use the mark 'Infosys' in any way to promote its business.

Recognising the exclusivity of the brand in favour of Infosys Technologies the court injuncted the placement firm from using the domain name "www.alphainfosys.com".

Advocate Manmohan Singh, appearing for Infosys, alleged that the directors and promoters of the Chennai firm incorporated the word Infosys in their trade name to encash upon the goodwill and reputation of the IT major.

The counsel said that the act of AII was illegal, as the firm has infringed upon the registered trademark of Infosys and were also liable for passing off action.

Infosys claimed that the alleged malafide act of the firm was first noticed in the year 2002 and legal notices were served to them. However, the firm involved in the business of technical recruitment, training-related consultancy, career planning for IT professionals and overseas placement refused to comply with their request.

The software major submitted that last October (2004), a fresh cease and desist notice was sent to the AII but its attorney replied that they have a right to use the mark Infosys.

Use of the mark Infosys as trade name and domain name was causing confusion and deception in the market that the Chennai firm was associated with the IT major, the counsel said.

The court has issued notices and summons to the promoters and directors of AII for April 1.