Bombay High Court Orders Aquapeya to Cease Operations

The Bombay High Court has issued an interim injunction directing Aquapeya, a packaged water brand that recently secured funding on Shark Tank India, to halt all manufacturing, packaging, distribution, marketing, and sales activities. This order comes in response to a trademark and copyright infringement lawsuit filed by Bisleri International, a leading name in India’s packaged water industry. 

Background of the Dispute

Aquapeya, produced by Natvits Beverages, gained prominence after appearing on Season 4 of Shark Tank India, which aired on January 20, 2025. During the show, founders Tushar and Ravi Mundada secured an investment of ₹70 lakh from judges Namita Thapar and Ritesh Agarwal, in exchange for a 3% equity stake and a 1% royalty. The founders candidly admitted to adopting a branding strategy that leveraged the market goodwill of established brands, specifically mentioning their use of a green color scheme similar to Bisleri‘s, aiming to capitalize on consumer recognition. 

Bisleri’s Allegations

Bisleri International initiated legal action against Aquapeya, alleging that the latter’s branding was “deceptively similar” to its own. The company accused Aquapeya of infringing upon its registered trademark and copyright by utilizing pirated artworks and attempting to benefit from Bisleri’s established market reputation. The lawsuit emphasized that such actions could mislead consumers and dilute Bisleri’s brand identity. 

Court’s Interim Order

In response to the allegations, the Bombay High Court issued an interim order restraining Aquapeya from engaging in any activities related to its packaged drinking water brand. This directive is intended to prevent potential consumer confusion and protect Bisleri’s intellectual property rights while the case is under judicial consideration. 

Implications for Aquapeya and the Startup Ecosystem

This legal development poses significant challenges for Aquapeya, potentially affecting its operations and future prospects. It also raises concerns about the due diligence processes employed by platforms like Shark Tank India in evaluating and endorsing startups. Legal experts have questioned the oversight mechanisms that allowed a company with potential intellectual property conflicts to receive national exposure and investment.

The Bombay High Court’s decision underscores the critical importance of respecting intellectual property rights within the business landscape. For startups, this case serves as a cautionary tale about the necessity of conducting thorough trademark searches and ensuring originality in branding to avoid legal entanglements that can impede growth and tarnish reputations