In a significant legal win for India’s hospitality sector, the Delhi High Court has granted permanent relief to Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), the Tata Group’s hospitality arm, in a trademark infringement case concerning its budget hotel brand GINGER. The Court ordered the takedown of multiple fraudulent websites that were illegally using the GINGER brand and images of actual hotels to deceive unsuspecting customers into making fake bookings.
The verdict is a crucial development in protecting hospitality brands from digital impersonation and fraud, which can seriously erode consumer trust and damage brand reputation. Justice Mini Pushkarna ruled that the defendants’ actions were potentially criminal and intended to mislead consumers by mimicking legitimate GINGER hotel platforms.
“These activities amount to fraudulent misrepresentation and are a blatant misuse of IHCL’s goodwill, built over decades in the hospitality industry,” the judge stated, ordering the four key defendants to pay ₹20 lakhs as costs and permanently refrain from using the GINGER trademark or similar material.
IHCL, which operates TAJ, VIVANTA, SELEQTIONS, GINGER, and Ama Stays and Trails, had filed the suit after discovering unauthorized sites offering hotel bookings under the GINGER name, using actual photos from its properties. This, the Court held, was not only a violation of trademark rights but also an infringement of copyright laws.
The ruling reaffirmed that domain names play a vital role in the hospitality industry’s branding strategy. “Where a domain name is used in connection with a business, the value of maintaining an exclusive identity becomes critical,” the Court said, emphasizing the importance of brand protection in digital spaces.
The judgment also reflects broader concerns within the hospitality industry about cyber fraud, brand impersonation, and online trust. The defendants did not appear before the Court or file written statements, leading to a summary judgment in favor of IHCL.
For IHCL and the broader hotel community, this decision underscores the need for vigilance, brand surveillance, and robust legal safeguards in an increasingly digital-first guest journey—from discovery to booking.
This win for GINGER Hotels is not just a trademark victory—it’s a clear signal that India’s hospitality brands are ready to defend their digital assets and guest trust with full legal force.
