Rakesh Bhatnagar

New Delhi: The controversy brewing over whether the word ‘Scot’ can be used to name an Indian whisky or whether it is a trademark of certain foreign whiskies has reached its maturity as the supreme court has said it would give its judgment on this vital issue of liquor trade.

The word ‘Scot’, or ‘Scotch’, has been a bone of contention between a domestic whisky maker and UK’s Scotch Whisky Association.

The Madras high court had earlier restrained the use of ‘Scot’ in the whisky brand ‘Peter Scot’, manufactured by Khoday’s Group.

Khoday’s sought a stay on the verdict that directed the Registrar of Trademarks to annul the trademark. The court felt that the word Scot resembled Scott whisky made in Scotland, and could cause deception.

A bench has sought a reply from UK’s Scotch Whisky Association on why domestic whisky makers should be restrained from using the words.

Khoday’s Group contends that a brand registered for over seven years couldn’t be deregistered unless it was proved that the registration was obtained through fraud.

Source : DNA