Seiko Epson Corporation (Epson) has announced that India has recognised the Epson brand as a well-known trademark in February 2024.
To prevent consumer confusion caused by the unauthorised use or registration of well-known or famous trademarks, certain countries and regions, including China, India, Türkiye and Taiwan, have established systems to recognise these trademarks.
In India, Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks recognises trademarks that are widely recognised in the country as “well-known trademarks.” As of May 2024, a total of 281 well-known trademarks have been recognised in this way.
The company said that recognition will broaden the scope of protection for the Epson trademark in India. Epson added that it will avoid customer confusion and enhance brand protection of the brand in India by preventing unauthorised use and registration of the trademark by third parties, even in product and service areas where the company does not hold trademark rights.
Epson has gained protection for the Epson trademark globally in countries and regions that, like India, recognise well-known and famous trademarks. Recognition as a famous trademark or the equivalent was gained in Taiwan in 2004, China in 2007, and Türkiye in 2011. Epson launched operations in India in 1990 with the establishment of a liaison office. In 2000, Epson opened a regional sales headquarters in Bangalore to conduct sales and marketing activities for Epson brand printers, scanners, and other products.
Epson said: “We believe that this acknowledgment as a well-known brand signifies that Epson enjoys wide recognition and a high reputation in the Indian market.
“Going forward, Epson will continue to tirelessly convert intellectual property into corporate value by utilizing all forms of intellectual property, including brands, to support business growth in line with a Purpose-based growth strategy scenario.”
