Supreme Court orders mediation in Indian whiskey trademark dispute over child-risk tetrapack packaging.

The Supreme Court has referred a decades-long trademark dispute between Indian whiskey makers John Distilleries and Allied Blenders to retired judge L Nageswara Rao for mediation, amid concerns over liquor sold in tetrapacks resembling juice containers and posing risks to children. The Madras High Court had previously ruled that John Distilleries’ “Original Choice” mark was deceptively similar to Allied Blenders’ “Officer’s Choice,” finding it likely to mislead consumers and lacking distinctiveness. The Supreme Court emphasized the need for branding changes to reduce confusion and questioned why governments allow tetrapack liquor sales despite public health risks.