Delhi HC Restrains Institute of Cost Accountants of India from using ICAI acronym

The Delhi HC has restrained the Institute of Cost Accountants of India from using the 'ICAI' acronym, a trademark which stands registered in favour of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India as reported by livelaw.in. The Institute of Cost Accountants of India has been given a time period of 3 months to remove ICAI acronym.

The decision was announced in a suit filed by Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Justice Shankar observed that there is, prima facie, a likelihood of confusion on the part of the public regarding the use of ICAI mark by the Institute Of Cost Accountants Of India in view of section 29(3) read with section 29(2)(c) of the Trade Marks Act.

The court added that it is impossible, without additional material, to decide whether the reference to ICAI in respect of educational and training services refers to Institute of Chartered Accountants or the Institute of Cost Accountants. 

THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF INDIA v. THE INSTITUTE OF COST ACCOUNTANTS OF INDIA