Freddy Daruwala

Freddy Daruwala, who was recently seen in a cameo in John Abraham’s ‘Force 2’, has found himself in legal tussle after being sued by soft drink brand Rasna for trademark infringement. The brand, which has also sued the producers of the Gujarati film, Rasna No Dabbo, claims the title infringes upon its trade name and defames the brand.

Responding to the claims, Daruwala tells mid-day, “Rasna is a common Gujarati name and that’s probably where the company also got its name from. Our film is a sweet love story about a girl named Rasna and doesn’t tarnish their brand in any manner. In fact, the film is not even about them. This is a pointless and unfortunate tussle.”

In a notice served to the producers yesterday (a copy of which is with mid-day), the complainants claim that “the mark has become a household name and a common consumer would immediately associate any similar mark with [the company’s]” and the situation could “result into irreparable and irretrievable injury not only to the Plaintiffs but to all the consumers who are so misled.”

A commercial Ahmedabad court had reportedly restrained the filmmakers from releasing the film until July 17, when the next hearing is scheduled.
Despite the development, Daruwala asserts that the team doesn’t intend to change the title.

“We’ve received the notice today [yesterday]. We will first talk to them, but, if all fails, the case will have to be fought fair and square. We had registered the name with the Producers’ Association (IMPPA) about two years ago. If any concern was to be raised, they would have pointed it out to us then.” Rasna has reportedly sued all the production firms associated with the film.

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