Whole-name comparison governs company-name rectification where an omitted letter leaves a name too similar to a registered trade mark.
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....Company-name rectification under Section 16(1)(b) turns on whether the impugned name is identical with or too nearly resembles a registered trade mark, without requiring proof of likely deception or confusion. Competing names must be compared holistically, including phonetic and structural similarity, rather than by separating individual components. Applying that approach, "TOPLAD" was found too nearly to resemble "TOPLAND"; omitting "N" did not create sufficient visual or phonetic distinction for an Indian consumer of average intelligence. The rejection of rectification was set aside, and adoption of a non-resembling company name was required.....
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