Report 

The Principal Commercial Court in Thiruvananthapuram has imposed a ₹1 crore penalty on Milnna, a private dairy, for imitating the brand name and packaging design of Milma, the well-known state-run dairy cooperative. The court ruled that Milnna’s actions violated trade and intellectual property laws.

Ban on Sales, Marketing Using Imitated Packaging

The court also issued a ban on Milnna’s use of any trademarks, packaging, or branding that resemble Milma’s identity. It further ordered Milnna to cease all advertising, marketing, and sales of its dairy products under the copied design. Additionally, the company must pay ₹8,18,410 to Milma to cover the litigation costs.

Milma Welcomes Verdict as a Warning Against Counterfeit Branding

Milma Chairman K S Mani welcomed the court’s decision, calling it a stern warning to companies attempting to deceive consumers with fake branding. He emphasised Milma’s role as a major cooperative network that upholds the interests of dairy farmers and the integrity of its brand. Milma had filed a legal case in 2022 against two private dairies, including Milnna, for allegedly trying to mislead consumers by mimicking Milma’s trusted brand image and packaging.

Source: The New Indian Express