Author: Kunal Peelwan
In a significant turn of events, the long-standing trademark dispute of Lodha brothers, both real-estate giants, Abhishek and Abhinandan Lodha, concerning the use of their family’s iconic brand name, has been settled amicably and professionally. After some intense discussion and mediation, both real estate tycoons have reached an agreement that they both will let each other run their business operations with any further conflicts. The settlement which Lodha Brothers achieved through mediation with guidance from their parents and retired judges is a key moment for family businesses, intellectual property law, and the role of mediation for solving disputes peacefully.
Background: A Dispute Over the ‘Lodha’ Brand
The dispute between the Lodha brothers started in 2015 when they decided to part ways professionally.The Name ‘Lodha Group’ is associated with Abhishek Lodha, the Managing Director of Macrotech Developers as he continued to lead his family business. On the other hand, Abhinandan Lodha launched his own company, House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL), in 2021. The actual problem started when Macrotech Developers accused HoABL for the unlawful use of the brand name ‘‘Lodha’ also filing a trademark infringement suit against HoABL worth ₹5000 crore.
Mediation and Settlement
The Lodha family chose to go with mediation to settle the dispute peacefully rather than dragging it through the courts. On 31st of January, 2024, the Bombay High Court appointed Justice R.V. Raveendran, a former Supreme Court judge, to act as a mediator to guide both sides to reach an agreement through mediation. The process of mediation lasted for 3 months and during that time period both the parties went through extensive negotiation. In the end finally both of them reach to an agreement with the support of their parents and senior family members.
As per the terms of the agreement, Abhishek Lodha will have the ownership and solely continue the usage of brand names ‘Lodha’ and ‘Lodha Group’ while Abhinandan Lodha will continue to operate his business under the name ‘House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL)’ which he exclusively owns. ‘Lodha Group’ and ‘House of Abhinandan Lodha’ are not connected to each other in any way and both companies will make this clear to the public, clearing any confusion in the marketplace.
Implications for the Lodha Brothers and Their Businesses
The settlement between two, makes it clear that Abhinandan Lodha has no rights or claims over Macrotech Developers or the brand ‘Lodha Group’ and Abhishek Lodha has no rights or claims over ‘House of Abhinandan Lodha’. This allow both brothers to operate their respective companies without any dispute or infringing each other’s intellectual property which ensures a peaceful coexistence of their brands.
Lodha Brothers decision of choosing mediation to resolve their matter, this shows that how useful Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) can be, especially in the family business where the lines between personal relationships and professional responsibilities often overlap.
The mediation process was appreciated by both brothers as it helped them avoid a lengthy court battle but also it ensured that Lodha brand was preserved and secured for its rightful owner.
A Turning Point for Family Businesses
This case provides a valuable lesson for the family business facing similar issues. The Lodha Brothers chose to put aside their personal differences and opt mediation to resolve their dispute, this shows that family businesses can solve their disputes peacefully, even when valuable assets like brand names and intellectual property are involved. In the end, they found a solution peacefully with the support of their families and trusted mediators, which highlights the important of maintaining family unity, especially in family businesses often face disputes over ownership and control.
Conclusion
This trademark disputes of Lodha Brothers shows us the importance of Intellectual property rights in the family businesses especially for keeping a brands reputation intact. Their decision of choosing mediation rather than dragging it through the courts helped them resolving this complex issue peacefully. This settlement allows both, Macrotech Developers and House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) to grow independently and continue to operate in the market. Their story will surely inspire many entrepreneurs on how they can also resolve conflicts amicably and professionally.