EBC–Rupa Trademark Dispute Over Mini Constitution Edition Referred to Mediation
The Delhi High Court has referred the ongoing trademark dispute between Eastern Book Company (EBC) and Rupa Publications India to mediation. The case concerns the alleged imitation of EBC’s well-known red-and-black “coat-pocket” edition of the Constitution of India by Rupa Publications.
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora directed that the matter be sent to the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre, asking the Organising Secretary to appoint a senior mediator. Both parties have been asked to appear before the Mediation Centre on November 20, while the next hearing in court is scheduled for December 17.
Earlier, the Court had issued an interim injunction restraining Rupa from publishing or selling its version of the mini Constitution, after observing that the product closely resembled EBC’s signature edition. Rupa has now sought to vacate this ex-parte injunction, and EBC has been asked to file its response.
In its trademark suit, EBC stated that since 2009, it has been publishing portable “coat-pocket” editions of bare acts, easily identified by their distinct red-and-black design, gold leafing, thin bible paper, and specific font style. The publisher claimed that Rupa’s version copied not only the colour combination but also the layout and presentation style of EBC’s editions, misleading buyers on online platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart, as well as at bookstores.
EBC further alleged that due to this confusion, a major order of 18,000 copies of its Constitution edition was cancelled after Rupa allegedly misrepresented its own version as identical but cheaper.
In September 2025, the High Court had granted EBC interim relief, observing that Rupa’s edition appeared deceptively similar to EBC’s and was likely to cause consumer confusion. The Court also ordered Rupa to recall its unsold stock.
The case will now proceed before the Mediation Centre in hopes of an amicable settlement between the two publishers.
Legal Representation:
EBC was represented by Advocates Raghavendra Mohan Bajaj, Shagun Agarwal, and Zeeshan Ahmad.
Rupa Publications was represented by Advocates Rahul Sharma, Santanam Swaminadman, Anand Singh, Kartik Malhotra, Anindit Mandal, and Darshitha.
