The Delhi High Court has directed leading online travel agencies (OTAs) to remove, delist or block 22 hotel and hospitality listings involved in proceedings concerning the alleged unauthorised use of names incorporating “Orchid”, a registered trademark associated with Kamat Hotels (India) Limited (KHIL).
The properties named in the proceedings are located across several states and Union Territories, including Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Assam, West Bengal, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh.
The listings included names such as “The Orchid”, “Orchid Hotel”, “Orchid Inn”, “Hotel Orchid”, “Blue Orchid”, “River Orchid Resort” and “Golden Orchid”. The order has brought attention to how hotel identities and brand affiliations are represented on digital booking platforms.
Kamat Hotels said several major OTAs had independently taken steps following notices issued by the company and indicated their willingness to strengthen precautionary measures and brand-protection processes. The company said clearer identification of properties could help address concerns around brand representation.
Vishal Kamat, Executive Director, Kamat Hotels (India) Limited, said the “Orchid” brand had been built over three decades and that trademark protection was important to maintaining the trust associated with it. He also emphasised the importance of cooperation between hotel companies and OTAs as digital platforms become increasingly important for hotel discovery and bookings.
The development highlights the challenges surrounding trademark protection and hotel identity as online distribution continues to expand. It also places greater emphasis on property verification and accurate listing information, with the court’s direction underscoring the responsibilities of digital booking platforms in addressing brand-related concerns.