Tilaknagar Industries, which won a landmark judgment from Bombay High court that settled an old trademark dispute with UTO Nederland BV, has announced aggressive growth plans for its flagship brands 'Mansion House' and 'Savoy Club' with new lines of products.

The Bombay High Court ruling of 22 December 2011 has settled unequivocally that the brands 'Mansion House' and 'Savoy Club' trademarks have been transferred to the company by the Dutch company.

Tilaknagar Industries is also the registered proprietor of the trademarks `Mansion House' and `Savoy Club' in India after it was transferred by the Dutch company.

The notice of motion filed by UTO Nederland BV had sought to restrain Tilaknagar Industries from using the trademarks 'Mansion House' and 'Savoy Club.'

''The impact of the said judgment on TI's growth is of great significance. The judgment has settled the disputes relating to the ownership and use of the concerned trademarks by TI in India at the interim stage. This clears the path for TI to aggressively promote the brands pan India,'' said Keshab Nandy, chief legal officer, Tilaknagar Industries Ltd.

''The total sales for MHB trademark brands in 2010-2011 were approximately 6 million cases. With the said Judgment, we will be expanding markets of Mansion House Whisky and Mansion House Rum in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Pondicherry and West Bengal within the next three months,'' Amit Dahanukar, chairman and managing director of Tilaknagar Industries Ltd, said.

Tilaknagar Industries enjoys a dominant presence in southern India with Mansion House Brandy enjoying more than 55 per cent of the market share in its segment. The company now plans to leverage the brand's market leadership to launch products in other segments as well.

The company, he said. will witness a growth of around 20 per cent by the end of the financial year. ''However, the impact of the judgment will be long term and we will have the freedom to leverage the brand strength,'' he added.

The Bombay High Court, while dismissing the notice of motion filed by UTO Nederland BV seeking to restrain TI from using the trademarks 'Mansion House' and 'Savoy Club', held that by a letter dated 23 February 1987 UTO Nederland BV transferred the trade marks ''Mansion House'' and ''Savoy Club'' to TI.

The court, during the proceedings, had held that it was clear that UTO Nederland BV intended to transfer and assign the trademarks to Tilaknagar Industries. The court at the interim stage also held that TI being the owner of the trademarks `Mansion House' and `Savoy Club' was entitled to use the said trademarks in respect of the alcoholic beverages. The court further referred to various other documents and conducts of the parties and held that the same leads to a strong prima facie conclusion that UTO Nederland BV had relinquished their right in the said trademarks in favour of Tilaknagar Industries.

Tilaknagar Industries Ltd is one of major produces of Indian-made foreign liquor (including whisky, brandy, gin, rum and vodka) with presence across India. The company manufactures, markets and sells more than 40 brands across all price points. It also operates subsidiaries like Prag Distillery (P) Ltd, Vahni Distilleries Private Limited, Kesarval Springs Distillers Pvt Ltd and Punjab Expo Breveries Private Limited. The company exports its products to Western Africa, the Middle East, the Far East and the Caribbean.