Pharmaceutical company wins SSI exemption despite unregistered brand name assignment deed from another firm

CESTAT Ahmedabad allowed the appeal concerning SSI exemption dispute over brand name rights between appellant and another pharmaceutical company. The Tribunal held that unregistered assignment deed does not preclude brand name ownership, citing precedent from MP HC in Jepika Paints case. Registration of assignment deeds is not mandatory when facts are undisputed. Appellant entitled to small scale exemption benefit despite unregistered deed. Penalty imposed on individual also set aside. Appeal allowed with complete relief granted to appellant.

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Issues: Determination of rights to use brand name, validity of assignment agreement, consideration for brand name assignment, registration requirement for assignment deed, eligibility for small scale exemption, imposition of penalty.

Analysis:

The case involved appeals filed by M/s. Prince Web and Shri Sureshbhai Jivabhai Sakaria regarding the use of the brand name "Price Care" assigned to them by Ms. Prince Care Pharma Pvt Ltd. The dispute centered around the eligibility for benefits under Notification No. 8/2003-CE dated 01.03.2003 based on the validity of the assignment agreement and deed of assignment of the brand name.

The appellants argued that the assignment of the brand name was valid as they had provided marketing services to Prince Care Pharma Pvt Ltd, which constituted consideration for the assignment. They contended that the registration of the assignment deed was not necessary, citing precedents that supported their position, including the decision of the Hon'ble High Court of Madhya Pradesh in the case of Jepika Paint 2008 (232) ELT 424 (MP).

The Tribunal examined the issue of registration requirement for assignment deeds and held that the absence of registration did not negate the ownership of the brand name by the appellants. Relying on previous cases such as Que Pharma Pvt Ltd 2013 (288) ELT 563 (Tri. Ahm.) and Sadana Foods-2012 (284) ELT 257 (Tri.-Bang.), the Tribunal emphasized that small scale exemption benefits could not be denied solely on the basis of unregistered assignment deeds.

Consequently, the Tribunal allowed the appeal, ruling in favor of the appellants. The penalty imposed on Shri Sureshbhai Jivrajbhai Sakariya was set aside, and the appellants were deemed eligible for the benefits under Notification No. 8/2003-CE dated 01.03.2003.

In conclusion, the judgment revolved around the validity of the assignment of the brand name "Price Care" to the appellants and the consideration provided for the assignment. The Tribunal clarified that registration of assignment deeds was not a prerequisite for establishing ownership of the brand name and upheld the appellants' eligibility for small scale exemption benefits.

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