Patanjali Fined Rs 10 Lakh For Exploiting Public Fear; They Sold Fake Coronavirus Medicine

On Thursday, the Madras High Court ruled against Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurveda regarding the cases connecting to the trademark of ‘Coronil’.

Yoga Guru’s business was also penalised with a fine of Rs 10 lakh for ‘chasing further profits by exploiting the fear and panic among the general public by projecting a cure for the coronavirus’.

Read on to find out more about the verdict…

Patanjali Faces Charges For Trademark Infringement of ‘Coronil’!

It seems like Patanjali has also used the word ‘Coronil’ in the heat of the moment, blinded by profits the medicine will make amidst the rising fear for the coronavirus in India, without researching its trademarks!

Chennai-based Arudra Engineers Private Limited registered the trademarks Coronil-213SPL and Coronil-92B in June 1993 for its industrial cleaning chemicals for over 30 years. The company has the right over the trademark till 2027.

An interim injunction was passed last month after finding a prima facie case in favour of the Arudra Engineers, claiming rights over the trademark. The Madras High Court has confirmed the earlier imposed injunction on Patanjali from using the trademark of ‘Coronil’.

The company stated that Patanjali had adopted the name for its ‘immunity booster’ amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. 

How Is Rs 10 Lakh Fine Going To Be Utilised?

The court has imposed a penalty on Patanjali for marketing the tablet and Divya Mandir Yog, which manufactured it.

This information regarding the name ‘Coronil’ of the ‘immunity booster’ could have been easily found out by a simple check with the Trademarks Registry and hence they (Patanjali) don’t deserve any consideration, stated Justice Karthikeyan  . 

“They cannot assume they can bulldoze their way and infringe a registered trademark. They must realise there is no equity in trade and commerce. If they had not done a check with the Registry, then they are at fault. They cannot plead ignorance and innocence and seek indulgence from this Court. Either way, indulgence is refused,” the judge states.

While hearing this case, the High Court also noted the previous controversy surrounding ‘Coronil’. The HC has pointed out that there is no evidence suggesting that ‘Coronil’ is a cure for COVID-19. 

In addition, the judge held that, “Insofar as costs are concerned, the defendants have repeatedly projected that they are a 10,000 crore company. However, they are still chasing further profits by exploiting the fear and panic among the general public by projecting a cure for the coronavirus, when actually their ‘Coronil Tablet’ is not a cure but rather an immunity booster for cough, cold and fever.”

 “The defendants must realize that there are organisations which are helping the people in this critical period without seeking recognition and it would only be appropriate that they are made to pay costs to them,” the court stated.

Adyar Cancer Institute Government Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College and Hospital offer treatments free of cost, without any claim to trademark, trade name, patent or design, with only service as its motto.

Hence, the court has directed that the Patanjali Ayurveda to pay Rs 5 lakh each to both the facilities by August 21.

Well, a golden verdict indeed to this trademark infringement case!