Hashtagging a Brand Name to Identify a Company’s Director Does Not Amount to Trademark Disparagement: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court has ruled that using a company’s brand name as a hashtag in social media posts, when the intention is to identify an individual associated with the company, does not amount to trademark disparagement. The decision was delivered by Justice N. Senthilkumar in the matter concerning Madhampatty Thangavelu and the respondent Joy Crizildaa. Background of the Dispute The plaintiff, Madhampatty Thangavelu, is the founder of the hospitality…