IKEA battling for trademark in India

Ahead of the opening of its first store in India next year, Swedish home products retailer IKEA is battling trademark cases to stop others from using similar-sounding names in the country, reported Economic Times.

Last year, IKEA lost a trademark case in a district court in New Delhi against Bengaluru-based Quess Corp., which runs recruitment and staffing businesses under the brand IKYA Human Capital Solutions.

The Swedish company has appealed in the Delhi High Court in a bid to stop Quess from using the phonetically similar name.

"IKEA had moved the Delhi high court seeking a stay against the district court order. The stay was not granted. The matter is sub judice now," said Subrata Nag, Chief Financial Officer of Quess.

She further said, "We strongly deny any trademark infringement. IKYA is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Aikya,' meaning 'Oneness' and 'Integration.' We are using this brand since 2008 for our HR Services business which has no similarities with the furniture business of IKEA."

"In general, as the worldwide franchisor and owner of the IKEA concept, it is very important for us to protect the intellectual property rights associated with the IKEA brand," the company said.

The chain also said that India is one of the most promising markets and the company has government approval to invest Rs 10,500 crore to set up 25 large stores, typically in the range of 350,000 square feet, stocking thousands of items. IKEA has acquired land in Hyderabad for its planned store there next year and is buying land in Mumbai.

In another case, the company has dragged a West Bengal-based furniture dealer to court for selling furniture branded IKIA. In the Delhi High Court documents, Inter IKEA Systems BV, which holds trademarks of the brands and logos, said the Swedish giant has registered 45 trademarks in India.