Google challenged a Delhi High Court ruling that found the company liable for trademark infringement in its keyword advertising system. The court previously determined that Google allowed competitors to bid on protected brand names to divert search traffic.
Google argues the decision harms consumer choice and positions India as a global regulatory outlier. The company claims the ruling deviates from international standards for digital advertising regulation.
Bathroom fittings manufacturer Hindware initiated the case after rivals used its name to boost their own search visibility. The court ordered Google to pay damages for the infringement.
The outcome could set a precedent for India’s $4.1 billion online advertising market. Google currently faces several additional antitrust challenges within the country.