Dindigul 'Thalappakatti’ Biriyani Wins Trademark Row

The Intellectual Property Appellate Board here has ruled that Dindigul-based ‘Thalappakatti’ is the genuine trademark and that Chennai-based ‘Thalappakattu’ is an imitation.

The Bench comprising its chairman Justice Prabha Sridevan and its member V.Ravi upheld the order passed by Deputy Registrar of Trade Marks in favour of Thalappakatti Naidu Ananda Vilas Biriyani Hotel, Dindigul, and dismissed the applications of Thalapakattu Biriyani and Fast Food, Chennai, for trademark registration.

The proprietors of the Dindigul-based mark claimed that way back in 1957, Nagasamy Naidu started the Ananda Vilas Briyani Stall. It later became famous as Thalappakatti Biriyani Naidu Hotel since the turbaned Naidu was called ‘Thalappakatti Naidu’. After him, his son and grandson carried on the business, which expanded to Coimbatore and Tirupur, and acquired a huge reputation because of the quality of its biriyani. 

The Chennai-based restaurant ‘Thalappakattu Biriyani & Fast Food claimed that its promoters’ ancestor Sulaiman was the Chief of the Horse Regiment in the palace of Raja of Sivaganga. As he wore a turban, his family came to be known as ‘Thalappakattu Rawthers’. They started the hotel business on a small scale in 2005 and as a mark of respect to their ancestors, they adopted the word ‘Thalappakattu’.  According to them, they served extremely delicious biriyani and the adoption of the name was bona fide. 

The Deputy Registrar in 2010 allowed the application of the Dindigul restaurant for its registration ‘Thalappakatti’, but refused the claim of Chennai restaurant.