Delhi HC Restrains Actor Ravi Mohan’s Studio from Using ‘BRO Code’ as Upcoming Film Title

The Delhi High Court has passed an interim order restraining actor Ravi Mohan’s production company, Ravi Mohan Studios Private Limited, from using the trademark 'BRO CODE' as the title of its upcoming Tamil film. The order came in a trademark infringement suit filed by Indospirit Beverages Private Limited, the makers of the popular alcoholic beverage BroCode.

Justice Tejas Karia, while hearing the matter, held that a prima facie case of trademark infringement was made out in favour of the plaintiff. The Court observed that the use of an identical mark in the title of the defendant’s film was likely to mislead consumers into assuming an association between the movie and the beverage brand.

“The Plaintiff’s mark has been used in an identical manner in the title of the Defendant’s film without authorization, which amounts to infringement and is likely to create confusion in the minds of consumers regarding association of the Defendant’s film with the Plaintiff,” the Court noted, adding that such use could cause irreparable injury to the brand’s reputation.

The bench further held that the balance of convenience was in favour of Indospirit Beverages. Accordingly, till the next date of hearing, the Court directed that the defendant, its directors, employees, distributors, or agents are restrained from using, reproducing, broadcasting, promoting, or displaying the mark BROCODE in any form, whether in connection with the film, its promotional material, or any related content, both online and offline.

“Till the next date of hearing, the defendant and all persons acting on its behalf are restrained from using, adopting, reproducing, broadcasting, promoting, publishing, displaying or otherwise exploiting the plaintiff’s mark ‘BROCODE’, directly or indirectly, in connection with the upcoming cinematographic film or any related promotional material,” the Court ordered.

Indospirit Beverages Private Limited, established in 2014, is engaged in the business of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The company launched its flagship product under the trademark BROCODE in 2015, describing it as a carbonated wine-in-a-pint format. The brand has since gained significant popularity and is widely promoted across digital and social media platforms.

The plaintiff submitted that it holds multiple registrations for the mark BROCODE across several classes, including 32 and 33 for beverages. The company also expanded into digital content with a YouTube series titled BroCode Roast and a music video BroCode: Onam Ulsavam Song, both of which attracted large viewership and reinforced the brand’s recognition.

In early September 2025, Indospirit discovered that Ravi Mohan Studios had released a trailer for its upcoming Tamil film titled BRO CODE on YouTube and social media. Claiming unauthorized use of its registered mark, the company’s representatives met the studio in Chennai on September 6, 2025, and later followed up with emails on September 9 and 12, warning that the title’s use would require a formal licensing agreement.

Despite these communications, the studio continued to use the title. On October 1, 2025, it responded to Indospirit’s emails denying infringement. Subsequently, on October 4, the beverage maker issued a legal notice demanding immediate cessation of use, which went unanswered.

Meanwhile, Ravi Mohan Studios filed a suit before the Madras High Court seeking protection against alleged “groundless threats” from Indospirit. The Madras High Court granted an interim order restraining Indospirit from issuing such threats.

Justice Karia noted that under Section 142(2) of the Trade Marks Act, such proceedings cease once a formal infringement suit is filed by the aggrieved party. 

Finding that the beverage company’s trademark enjoyed strong goodwill and recognition extending beyond its product category, the Court concluded that the defendant’s use of the same mark for a film title amounted to unauthorized exploitation of the plaintiff’s reputation.

However, the Court clarified that the production house is not restrained from continuing with the making of the film, provided it refrains from using the disputed title. The matter will next be heard on December 23, 2025.

For Plaintiff: Mr. Chander M. Lall, Senior Advocate with Mr. Ankur Sangal, Mr. Aditya Ganju, Mr. Ankit Arvind, Ms. Shilpi Sinha, Ms. Priyanka Jaiswal, Mr. Saumanyu Sethi and Mr. Nishesh Gupta, Advocates.

For Defendent: Advocates Karthikei Balan, Vishnu Kumar and Sidhant Verma.

Case Title: INDOSPIRIT BEVERAGES PRIVATE LIMITED V RAVI MOHAN STUDIOS PRIVATE LIMITED

Bench: Justice Tejas Karia

Order Date: 14 October 2025