Delhi HC Orders Google to Block Fake Starbucks Franchise Forms

 The Delhi High Court has ruled in favor of Starbucks, ordering Google to suspend URLs of certain online forms impersonating a Starbucks franchise and soliciting private information from the public.

Key Points:

• Starbucks does not operate franchises in India, but imposters created Google forms promising such opportunities.
• These forms aimed to collect private data from unsuspecting individuals interested in the fake franchise.
• Starbucks filed a trademark and copyright infringement suit against the impersonators and sought to block the forms.
• The High Court, recognizing the potential harm caused by the deception and data collection, agreed to Starbucks' request.
• Google, the hosting platform for the forms, cooperated with the court order and will suspend the listed URLs within a week.

Implications:

• This case highlights the dangers of online scams and impersonation, particularly targeting established brands like Starbucks.
• The court's decision sets a precedent for protecting brands from unauthorized use and upholds the right to control the use of intellectual property.
• It also emphasizes the responsibility of online platforms like Google to prevent the spread of such deceptive content and protect user data.

Additional Information:

• Starbucks had previously secured an interim injunction in its favor against the impersonators in April 2023.
• The current ruling specifically targets the Google forms used for collecting false franchise application information.
• Starbucks was represented by Advocates Rima Majumdar and Shilpi Sinha, while Google LLC was represented by Advocates Neel Mason, Vihan Dang, Ujjawal Bhargava, and Pragya Jain.

Overall, this decision from the Delhi High Court serves as a significant victory for brand protection and internet user safety. It demonstrates the importance of legal recourse against online scams and reinforces the responsibility of major platforms to combat deceptive practices. 

(With input from news agency language)
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