Delhi HC Declines to Stay Order Restraining Actor Ravi Mohan’s Studio from Using ‘BRO CODE’ as Film Title

The Delhi High Court has refused to stay an interim order passed by a single judge 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 matter came up before a division bench comprising Justice C. Hari Shankar and Justice Om Prakash Shukla, which issued notice in an appeal filed by the actor challenging the injunction. The bench, however, declined to grant an interim stay, observing that granting a stay of the impugned order would effectively amount to allowing the appeal itself.

The case will now be heard on December 5.

Earlier, on October 14, a single-judge bench of Justice Tejas Karia had passed an interim order in a trademark infringement suit filed by Indospirit Beverages Private Limited, the makers of the popular alcoholic beverage BroCode. The court had restrained Ravi Mohan’s company from using the mark ‘BRO CODE’ as the title of its film.

Justice Karia 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 film’s title 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.

Court 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 ‘BRO CODE’ in any form, whether in connection with the film, its promotional material, or any related content, both online and offline.

Finding that the beverage company’s trademark enjoyed substantial 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, it clarified that the production house was not restrained from continuing with the making of the film, provided it refrained from using the disputed title.

Notably, Indospirit Beverages Private Limited has also moved a contempt plea before the High Court against the actor for non-compliance with the earlier order. The contempt petition remains pending consideration.

Case Title: Ravi Mohan Studios Private Limited vs Indospirit Beverages Private Limited & Ors.

Bench: Justice C Hari Shankar and Justice Om Prakash Shukla

Order Date: 13 November 2025