HC restrains software firm from using Siebel name

By siliconindia   |   Wednesday, 20 August 2003, 19:30 IST
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NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court has restrained an Indian firm from using the mark “SIEBEL” on its software or for providing computer training courses on the allegation by a leading US-based e-business solutions provider, Siebel Systems Inc, that the domestic firm was illegally using their brand name for its business. Justice R C Chopra in an ex-parte order recently stopped the Bangalore-based United Systems Infotech Pvt Ltd from using the word "Siebel" on its software or for providing training courses in "Siebel e-business applications software". Siebel Systems' counsel V P Singh and Pravin Anand had alleged that United Systems unauthorisedly adopted the mark "Siebel" for its business which amounted to infringement of the US company's various rights under the Trademark and copyright law. The court has sought reply from the domestic firm on the allegation and when contacted its counsel Hemant Singh said "the company would contest the ex-parte injunction". "The court has granted us four weeks time to file the reply. We are working on it," Singh said. Siebel Systems' counsel has alleged that United Systems had started using the trade mark "Siebel" on pirated software to pass off its material as that of the US company. Giving relief to the US company, the court said, "In case an ex-parte ad interim injunction is not granted in favour of plaintiff (Siebel Systems) restraining the defendants from using the word Siebel by way of piracy or imparting training courses in respect thereof, the plaintiff is likely to suffer irreparable loss and injury to its business".