A Pune-based eatery named 'Burger King' has successfully defended its right to use the name against the global fast-food chain Burger King Corporation, ending a 13-year-long legal dispute. The verdict, delivered by District Judge Sunil Vedpathak, concludes the multinational company's attempt to prevent the local restaurant from using the 'Burger King' name.

The legal conflict began in 2011 when the U.S.-based Burger King Corporation, which operates over 13,000 outlets worldwide, filed a lawsuit against Anahita and Shapoor Irani, owners of Pune's 'Burger King' restaurant. The corporation sought a permanent injunction to stop the Iranis from using the name, arguing it was damaging to their brand and demanded Rs 20 lakh in damages.

However, the court ruled in favor of the Iranis, noting that they had been using the 'Burger King' name for their restaurant since 1992, well before the American fast-food giant entered the Indian market in 2014. Judge Vedpathak emphasized that the corporation's claims were unsubstantiated, failing to prove any customer confusion or brand harm caused by the Pune eatery's use of the name.

The court dismissed the corporation's requests for an injunction and damages, affirming that the Iranis could continue to use the name that has been part of Pune’s food scene for over three decades.