Delhi High Court Restrains “Charcha Aaj Ki” From Using Deceptively Similar Aaj Tak Device Mark

Living Media informed the Court that it is one of India's major media corporations, engaged in print, digital and broadcast medi. Its subsidiary operates leading electronic news channels, including AAJ TAK. The company stated that it adopted and began using the mark “AAJ TAK” as early as 1995, with the news channel being launched in December 2000.

It asserted that over the years, the mark has acquired extensive goodwill and has been declared a “well-known trademark” under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.

According to Living Media, it holds multiple registrations for the word mark “AAJ TAK” as well as several formative and device marks, including the distinctive red-white-black colour combination and layout which have become closely associated with its news services.

The dispute arose after the company discovered in December 2025 that a digital news channel named “Charcha Aaj Ki” was offering news content on platforms such as JioTV and YouTube using a device mark and overall visual presentation closely resembling that of AAJ TAK. It was alleged that the rival channel had adopted a similar colour scheme and layout, which was likely to mislead viewers into believing an association with AAJ TAK.

Living Media clarified that it had no objection to the use of the words “Charcha Aaj Ki” per se but objected to the adoption of a deceptively similar device mark and colour combination in the same field of news broadcasting, which caters to a common audience.

After considering the material on record, the Court observed that Living Media had established a prima facie case and that the balance of convenience lay in its favour. It also noted that failure to grant interim relief would result in irreparable harm to its goodwill and reputation.

Accordingly, the Court restrained the operator of “Charcha Aaj Ki” and associated entities, until the next date of hearing, from using the disputed device mark, the red-white-black colour combination, and similar visual elements that infringe or are deceptively similar to “AAJ TAK” trademarks.

The channel was, however, permitted to continue using the words “Charcha Aaj Ki” in a manner that does not infringe Living Media's registered marks.

Case Title: Living Media India Limited And Anr v. Charcha Aaj Ki

Citation: 2026 LLBiz HC (DEL) 42

Case Number: CS(COMM) 15/2026

For Plaintiff: Advocates Rahul Beruar, Nidhi Jain, Manini Sidhu and Aeshna Raghuwanshi