In a significant legal development, the Delhi High Court has ordered Rupa Publications India Pvt. Ltd. to cease publishing and selling its distinctive red-and-black coat-pocket edition of the Indian Constitution. The court’s decision stems from the strong resemblance of this edition to a similar one already available from the Eastern Book Company (EBC).
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora delivered the interim judgment in response to a lawsuit filed by EBC. The judge concluded that, at first glance, Rupa Publications’ ‘trade dress’—its overall visual design and presentation—was ‘deceptively similar’ to EBC’s established format.
The court’s September 25 order detailed how Rupa Publications had adopted a nearly identical color scheme, text and font, gilt edging, book cover color, and embossed gold detailing. Considering that both EBC and Rupa Publications operate in the same market, utilize identical distribution channels, and cater to the same readership, the court found a high likelihood of consumer confusion.
The ruling further stressed that an average, unwary consumer with imperfect recollection would likely perceive Rupa Publications’ challenged coat-pocket editions as identical to those of EBC. This visual similarity, the order stated, is highly likely to mislead consumers regarding the genuine source or publisher of these constitutional texts.
Consequently, the court explicitly prohibited Rupa Publications, along with its franchisees, dealers, distributors, and agents, from manufacturing, publishing, marketing, selling, or advertising its red-and-black coat-pocket edition of the Constitution.
Additionally, Rupa Publications was directed to remove and recall all unsold inventory of the disputed edition from the market and to delete its product listings from all e-commerce platforms within two weeks. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on February 25, 2026.