Delhi Court Awards ₹3M, Rules Google Liable for Trademark Infringement on AdWords
GOOG•The Delhi High Court ruled Google liable for trademark infringement in Hindware suit, awarding ₹3M after finding its AdWords platform let rivals bid on 'Hindware' keywords. Zerodha’s Nithin Kamath and Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu endorsed the judgment, citing branded-traffic diversion and urging Google to revise keyword bidding rules.
1. Court Judgment in Hindware Trademark Dispute
The Delhi High Court delivered a 163-page judgment on May 22, finding Google’s AdWords platform liable for infringing Hindware’s trademark by selling the 'Hindware' keyword without authorization and awarding the plaintiff ₹3M in damages.
2. Industry Backing Highlights Broader Concerns
Founders Nithin Kamath of Zerodha and Sridhar Vembu of Zoho publicly supported the decision, citing disruptions to branded search traffic and alleging that competitors routinely exploit Google’s keyword bidding to divert customers.
3. Potential Impact on AdWords Operations in India
The ruling may force Google to overhaul its keyword bidding processes in India, tighten trademark verification for ad placements and reassess global policies in one of its largest markets for online advertising.
