Tea Board open to holding talks with ITC to sort out trademark issue

After losing a case in the Calcutta HC against ITC over a trademark issue, the board has appealed to the Division Bench of the same court and it is hopeful that the issue can be sorted out amicably

Even as the Tea Board of India has moved the Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court alleging trademark infringement over the use of the word ‘Darjeeling’ for sale of goods at one of ITC’s hotels in Kolkata, it is hopeful that the tussle can be solved amicably.

The board is also hopeful that it can negotiate with ITC to allow it to use the geographical indication (GI)-protected Darjeeling logo at its hotel lounge.

“We have already spent a huge amount of money to protect the GI tag of Darjeeling and will spend more if necessary. Darjeeling is a protected trademark of