Outlook Business Desk
The Delhi High Court recorded a settlement between Mars Incorporated and Cadbury (India) Ltd regarding the use of the ‘CELEBRATIONS’ mark, ending a trademark dispute that had lasted nearly 25 years between the two confectionery leaders.
Presiding as a single-judge Bench, Justice Sanjeev Narula noted that the decades-long dispute between Mars and Cadbury had finally ended, concluding “not in discord, but in harmony,” bringing closure to the long-standing trademark contest.
Justice Narula remarked that for almost twenty-five years, Mars and Cadbury had been contesting the ‘CELEBRATIONS’ trademark before the Court, and now, that prolonged legal journey has finally come to an end.
As part of the settlement, Mars and Cadbury agreed to withdraw all opposition and rectification proceedings pending with the Indian Trade Marks Registry. The Delhi High Court noted that the agreement, dated July 3, 2025, was lawful and voluntarily executed by both parties.
The Court also highlighted a joint goodwill initiative by Mars and Cadbury. Both companies expressed their intention to mark the closure of the dispute with a gesture befitting the word they had long contested – ‘CELEBRATIONS’.
Mars and Cadbury pledged to distribute assortments of their sweets and treats worth ₹5 lakh each to schoolchildren across Delhi. The companies stated that this initiative will be conducted under the supervision of the Directorate of Education and the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA).
Justice Sanjeev Narula praised the settlement, noting that even in competitive industries, rivalry should not overshadow social responsibility. He emphasised that true celebration comes from generosity, and the parties successfully restored the original spirit of the ‘CELEBRATIONS’ trademark.