Delhi High Court refers Ambuja–JSW Cement trademark dispute to mediation

The Delhi High Court has referred a high-profile trademark dispute between Ambuja Cements Limited and JSW Cement Limited to the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre, while directing both sides to complete their pleadings in a time-bound manner [Ambuja Cements Vs JSW Cements].

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora passed the order on September 17, 2025, after Ambuja approached the Court seeking urgent injunctive relief against JSW’s recently launched “Jal Kavach” cement range.

Ambuja, now part of the Adani Group, contended that JSW's 'Jal Kavach' infringes Ambuja's trademark rights in "Ambuja Kawach", a premium water-repellent cement brand launched in 2020. The company claims the product enjoys enormous goodwill, with large sales.

Ambuja (plaintiff) emphasised that Ambuja Kawach is backed by trademark registrations from 2019 onwards, that it has been endorsed for sustainability by the Solar Impulse Foundation and listed in GRIHA’s green product catalogue.

Ambuja contended that in July 2025, JSW Cement launched JSW Cement CHD Jal Kavach, a competing water-repellent cement, accompanied by advertising campaigns and social media promotions.

Ambuja alleged that the mark Jal Kavach and its accompanying logo are phonetically, visually, conceptually and deceptively similar to Ambuja Kawach, creating a likelihood of confusion in the same product segment.

Ambuja's plea also takes note of JSW IP Holdings’ trademark application or JSW Cement CHD Jal Kavach under Class 19, which covers cement products. JSW's application was filed on a “proposed to be used” basis, further evidencing the intent to encroach upon Ambuja’s established brand, Ambuja claimed.

According to Ambuja, JSW’s use of the mark amounts to infringement under the Trade Marks Act, 1999, passing off, unfair competition, and dilution of Ambuja’s marks. The plaint argues that JSW's adoption of Jal Kavach was dishonest, mala fide, and calculated to mislead consumers.

On the first date of hearing, both Ambuja and JSW Cement indicated willingness to consider mediation to resolve their dispute. The Court accordingly referred the matter to the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre for September 26, 2025.

The matter will come up before the Court next on October 15.

Ambuja Cements were represented by Senior Advocates Chander M Lall and Kirtimaan Singh with Advocates Ajay Singh, Amit Kumar, K Sindhiya, Deepak Khandelwal, Vivek Kumar Singh and Annanya.

The defendants were represented by Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar with Advocates Ankur Sangal, Ankit Arvind and Nidhi Pathak.

[Read Order]