Balancing Functionality And Aesthetic Appeal: Travel Blue Wins In Design Piracy Dispute

The case of Travel Blue Products India Private Limited & Anr. vs Miniso Lifestyle Private Limited & Anr. (Interim Application (L) No. 28407 of 2024 in Commercial IPR Suit (L) No. 28275 of 2024), decided by the Bombay High Court on July 31, 2025, is a significant decision in the areas of design law and passing off. The dispute centred around the alleged piracy of a registered design of a travel neck pillow marketed by the plaintiffs under the brand "Travel Blue".

The plaintiffs contended that the defendants, Miniso Lifestyle Private Limited and Miniso Hong Kong Limited, were marketing near-identical products that infringed their registered design and goodwill. This case provides valuable insight into the scope of protection for registered designs under the Designs Act, 2000, and clarifies the principles relating to functionality, aesthetics, and passing off.