Lodha Brothers Resolve Longstanding Dispute Amicably
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Synopsis
The Lodha brothers have amicably resolved their long-standing disputes, confirming ownership rights over their respective brand names. This resolution follows guidance from family elders and judicial mediation, marking a significant step in their relationship and business ventures.
Key Takeaways
- Abhishek Lodha retains rights to Lodha Group.
- Abhinandan Lodha owns House of Abhinandan Lodha.
- No connection exists between the two brands.
- The resolution was facilitated by mediation.
- Legal disputes arose over trademark rights.
Mumbai, April 14 (NationPress) In a pivotal turn of events, the Lodha brothers - Abhishek Lodha and Abhinandan Lodha - along with their respective companies, have successfully settled all pending disputes under the supervision of their parents, as stated in a press release issued on Monday.
The brothers have confirmed that Macrotech Developers Ltd ("MDL") is the rightful owner and holds exclusive rights to the brand names "Lodha" and "Lodha Group".
The agreement further clarifies that Abhinandan Lodha owns and has exclusive rights to the brand name "House of Abhinandan Lodha" ("HoABL").
Additionally, it states that there is no connection between the Lodha Group and the House of Abhinandan Lodha, and both parties will communicate this widely.
As per the agreement, Abhinandan Lodha holds no rights or claims over Lodha Group, MDL, or any other businesses of Abhishek Lodha. Conversely, Abhishek Lodha has no rights or claims in HoABL or any of Abhinandan Lodha's businesses.
"Both Abhishek and Abhinandan express their heartfelt appreciation to Justice R.V. Raveendran (Retd.), whose mediation guidance proved invaluable. They are also grateful to Justice Arif Doctor for encouraging them to engage in mediation. They extend their sincere thanks to all family elders and well-wishers for their support during this resolution process," the press release noted.
In January, Abhishek and Abhinandan Lodha committed to finding an amicable solution after the Bombay High Court issued new directives regarding the prolonged dispute. Earlier that month, the court had encouraged both sides to seek an amicable resolution, leading to their willingness to engage in mediation with a bench led by Justice Arif Doctor.
The court appointed former Supreme Court Justice Raveendran as the mediator, indicating efforts should conclude within five weeks. The court also permitted an extension for dispute resolution if the mediator noted any positive progress.
This dispute initially escalated in 2015 when Abhinandan Lodha separated from the Lodha Group to establish his independent venture. Although the separation was formalized via a family agreement two years later, a new conflict arose over the use of the 'Lodha' brand.
The disagreements led to legal proceedings, with Macrotech Developers filing a case in the Bombay High Court, alleging trademark infringement by House of Abhinandan Lodha. Macrotech sought Rs 5,000 crore in damages, claiming that Abhinandan Lodha's usage of the name caused market confusion.
