Retail chain 24Seven has filed a lawsuit against Godfrey Phillips India Limited, claiming the company continued to use its trademark without authorization.
Godfrey Phillips, however, has denied the allegations, stating that it ceased using the trademark after parting ways with 24Seven in July 2024. The case is scheduled to be heard in the Delhi High Court in March 2025.
Trademark Conflict and Court Battle Ahead
24Seven’s legal counsel, Sandeep Sethi, argued that despite exiting the partnership, Godfrey Phillips continued using the retail chain’s trademark. In response, Godfrey Phillips’ senior lawyer, Rajiv Nayar, challenged this claim, asserting that the company had stopped using the trademark in October 2024.
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Godfrey Phillips had ventured into the retail business in 2005 with the launch of 24Seven, a convenience store chain operating 24/7 in major cities. However, the company exited the retail space in 2024 due to financial difficulties. Reports from CNBC TV-18 revealed that The New Shop, a retail startup, was in talks to acquire 24Seven’s business.
Complicated Internal Challenges
The exit plan from 24Seven also faced internal challenges. A family dispute over inheritance between Godfrey Phillips’ managing director, Bina Modi, and her son, Samir Modi, led to legal hurdles. Samir, who was an Executive Director, opposed the sale of the retail arm, but a Delhi court rejected his objections, allowing the company to proceed with its exit strategy. Following this, Samir was removed from the board by the company’s directors.
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For the fiscal year 2023-24, Godfrey Phillips’ retail division generated Rs 403 crore in revenue, contributing 7.6% of the company’s total income. However, it also reported a negative net worth.
