Outlook Business Desk
Delhi High Court has restrained Rupa Publications India Pvt. Ltd from publishing or selling its red-and-black pocket edition of the Constitution, after finding it deceptively similar to Eastern Book Company’s (EBC) edition.
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora gave an interim order on Eastern Book Company’s request, saying Rupa’s edition looked very similar to the design of the company’s publication.
The court observed that Rupa’s edition used a similar colour scheme, font, gilt edging, posteen colour, and embossed gold detailing, which together made it deceptively close to Eastern Book Company’s version.
The court highlighted that both publishers serve the same business line, trade channels, and target customers, creating a strong possibility of confusion among buyers over the book’s origin.
Eastern Book Company’s tabular comparison revealed that Rupa had copied the full layout of its pocket edition, without adding any original or independent creative element to the design.
The court noted that average consumers could easily mistake Rupa’s pocket edition for Eastern Book Company’s, as both look almost identical, creating a high chance of misleading buyers about the source.
Meanwhile, Justice Arora barred Rupa from manufacturing, publishing, selling, marketing, or advertising its red-and-black Constitution pocket edition, including through dealers, distributors, franchisees, or agents, until further court orders.
The judge said Rupa must remove all unsold copies from the market, take down e-commerce listings within two weeks, and the case will be heard further on February 25, 2026.