A bitter legal conflict has arisen within the prominent Lodha family, as Abhishek and Abhinandan Lodha find themselves at odds over the use of the family’s esteemed name in their respective business ventures. Abhishek, who leads Macrotech Developers (formerly known as the Lodha Group), has filed a lawsuit accusing his younger brother, Abhinandan, of infringing upon the ‘Lodha’ trademark in his real estate company, House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL).
The dispute centers around the use of the ‘Lodha’ name, with Abhishek alleging that Abhinandan’s business activities are causing confusion and financial harm to Macrotech’s brand. Macrotech’s legal representatives have taken the matter to the Bombay High Court, claiming that the Lodha name, which the company has cultivated over decades, is being misappropriated. The real estate giant seeks to prevent HoABL from using the name, citing potential damage to their established brand identity.
In a detailed legal request, Macrotech’s team has demanded Rs 5,000 crore in damages. While the claim includes a significant sum for trademark infringement, it also highlights the extensive harm caused to the Lodha name, which has become synonymous with quality real estate projects across major cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru.
The case, initially presented before Justice Manish M. Pitale, was swiftly referred to a higher bench due to the substantial financial implications involved. Justice Pitale remarked that the damages claimed "exceeded his jurisdiction," prompting the matter to be heard by Justice Arif S. Doctor, who is scheduled to deliberate on the case on January 27.
At the recent hearing, senior counsel Darius Khambata, representing Macrotech, urged the court to act swiftly due to the urgency of the issue. He emphasized that the trademark infringement was not just a legal matter but a "family feud" impacting the future of the brand.
The brothers’ legal rift began in 2015 when they officially separated after years of working together. A family settlement finalized in 2017 paved the way for Abhinandan to establish HoABL. However, Macrotech’s lawsuit points to a new agreement from December 2023, which explicitly prohibited Abhinandan from using the ‘Lodha’ name. Macrotech asserts that by continuing to use the name, HoABL has breached this agreement, causing both reputational and financial damage.
Macrotech’s allegations include claims of deliberate trademark infringement, misrepresentation in the trademark registry, and a violation of trust. The company had previously refrained from taking legal action, hoping for an amicable resolution. However, the ongoing use of the ‘Lodha’ name by Abhinandan has left Macrotech with no choice but to seek legal redress.
In response, Abhinandan Lodha has vehemently denied the allegations, maintaining that his use of the family name is both legitimate and legal. His team has asserted that the ‘House of Abhinandan Lodha’ trademark has been registered since 2021, and the company has grown rapidly in the four years since its inception. Abhinandan emphasized his company’s success, stating, “‘House of Abhinandan Lodha’ is a registered trademark since 2021 and in just four years, we have projects at 16 locations with gross sales of over Rs 6,500 crore with over 7,000 customers across 25 countries, 23 states, 107 cities...”
As the case progresses, all eyes will be on the upcoming hearing scheduled for January 27, where the court will decide whether interim relief will be granted to Macrotech, potentially halting HoABL’s use of the ‘Lodha’ brand during the course of the trial.
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