Feud over Fuel trademark for cosmetics in India

Published: 22-Oct-2009

A dispute has arisen between Indian wellness company VLCC, based in Delhi, and L'Oréal India over the ‘Fuel’ trademark that it is understood both companies are using to market skin care products.


A dispute has arisen between Indian wellness company VLCC, based in Delhi, and L'Oréal India over the ‘Fuel’ trademark that it is understood both companies are using to market skin care products.

Both companies are reportedly claiming trademark ownership, saying they acquired the rights from a Delhi-based entrepreneur, Mahesh Chaudhary, who markets a range of cosmetics under his registered ‘Fuel’ trademark.

A spokesperson for L'Oréal India has said that L'Oréal is the owner of the trademark, which was registered in September 2001, and that the company reserved "the right to defend its trademarks whenever necessary".

VLCC acquired the rights from Chaudhary in 2006 but has declined to comment on the dispute. At present it is not certain whether the two companies will settle the matter out of court.

Competition in the Indian cosmetics sector has intensified in recent years with annual growth in the sector of some 25% over the past decade.

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