Google Challenges ₹30 Lakh Damages in Hindware Trademark Case; Delhi High Court Issues Notice

The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notice in the appeal filed by technology giant Google challenging the high court's earlier ruling holding it liable for trademark infringement for allowing advertisers to bid on Hindware's registered trademark as a keyword under its Google Ads programme.

The matter was heard before a division bench comprising Justices V. Kameswar Rao and Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora.

Google has argued that the decision could fundamentally alter India's digital advertising ecosystem and harm competition as well as consumer choice.

The appeal challenges the May 22 judgment of a single-judge bench of Justice Mini Pushkarna, which held Google liable for trademark infringement after finding that it had allowed competitors of sanitaryware manufacturer Hindware to use the company's registered trademark as an advertising keyword. Court had directed Google to pay ₹30 lakh in damages and permanently restrained it from using "HINDWARE" or its variants as keywords in its Google Ads programme.

The dispute arose after Hindware alleged that competing sanitaryware companies had purchased the keyword "HINDWARE" through Google's advertising platform. As a result, consumers searching for Hindware products were shown sponsored links of rival businesses, allegedly diverting customers and enabling competitors to benefit from the goodwill attached to the Hindware trademark.

Hindware contended that Google was not merely providing a neutral technological platform but was actively monetising its registered trademark by auctioning it as an advertising keyword. The company argued that Google's role went beyond that of a passive intermediary because it facilitated keyword bidding, entered into advertising agreements with advertisers and earned revenue from the programme.

Accepting these submissions, the single judge held that Google could not avoid liability by characterising itself as a passive intermediary. Court observed that Google's involvement in the Google Ads programme was significant and that, without the platform enabling advertisers to bid on Hindware's trademark, the alleged infringement would not have occurred. It consequently held that Google's conduct amounted to trademark infringement and rejected its claim to intermediary protection in respect of the advertising programme.

Google has now assailed that decision before the division bench. 

Google has maintained its policy of permitting advertisers to bid on keywords irrespective of their trademark status, describing it as a longstanding global advertising practice that promotes competition by enabling consumers to compare products and services offered by different businesses. It has said that such keyword bidding provides smaller businesses an opportunity to present alternative choices to consumers and is consistent with trademark law.

Moreover, Google has reportedly informed the court that, while pursuing the appeal, it has already implemented the specific blocking actions required by the proceedings in the Hindware matter, without affecting other advertisers or altering its broader advertising policies.

Case Title: Google v. Hindware Limited & Ors

Hearing Date: July 10, 2026

Bench: Justices V. Kameswar Rao and Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora