GoDaddy Ordered to Suspend Scam Sites
• Haldiram Wins Round in Franchise Fraud Case
• Fake Franchise Alert: Haldiram Strikes Back
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098
A district court has ordered GoDaddy to suspend all domain names resembling “Haldiram” following a lawsuit by Haldiram Foods over fake franchise scams. The company alleged fraudsters used deceptive websites to mislead the public. The Sprouts News Team confirms the court’s interim order aims to protect brand identity and prevent cyber fraud.
Contents
GoDaddy Ordered to Suspend Scam Sites• Haldiram Wins Round in Franchise Fraud Case• Fake Franchise Alert: Haldiram Strikes BackLegal Crackdown on Fraudulent Haldiram DomainsFranchise Scams Damaging Brand ReputationGoDaddy Faced Legal Push After InactionAlso Read: School Health Program Scam Exposed: ₹43 Cr Fraud Uncovered.Court Issues Interim Suspension Order on DomainsImplications for Cyber Law and Brand Protection
Legal Crackdown on Fraudulent Haldiram Domains
In a significant judgment impacting digital brand misuse, District and Additional Sessions Judge R.S. Patil (Bhosale) has directed global domain registrar GoDaddy to suspend all domain names that bear similarity to “Haldiram” until the next court hearing.
The directive follows a legal plea by Haldiram Foods International Pvt. Ltd., citing violations under the Trademarks Act. The company alleged that unknown actors had registered misleading websites with names closely resembling the Haldiram brand, exploiting these to offer fake franchise deals and scam unsuspecting individuals.
Franchise Scams Damaging Brand Reputation
Haldiram’s counsel emphasized that the company, a legacy brand in India’s food and snacks industry, owns the official domain www.haldirams.com, protected under trademarks since 2002 and 2003. Despite this protection, numerous lookalike websites have surfaced, deceiving the public with fraudulent franchise and distributorship offers.
These unauthorized websites are not only diverting legitimate interest but also damaging brand equity. The company has reportedly received multiple complaints from consumers, law enforcement authorities, and regulatory bodies across India. The Sprouts News Team reviewed internal documents highlighting the growing concern over the exploitation of Haldiram’s trademark identity for commercial fraud.
GoDaddy Faced Legal Push After Inaction
Haldiram submitted evidence that it had made multiple appeals to GoDaddy, requesting the takedown of domains that were misleading and potentially dangerous. However, GoDaddy maintained that it could not act without a judicial order.
The court was informed that Haldiram had never authorized nor advertised any dealership or franchise programs. Supporting documentation showed at least seven domain names—all registered via GoDaddy—were found to be deceptively close to “Haldiram”, and used for conducting fraudulent outreach to the public.
Also Read: School Health Program Scam Exposed: ₹43 Cr Fraud Uncovered.
Court Issues Interim Suspension Order on Domains
Upon reviewing the documents and hearing arguments from both parties, the court found merit in the concerns raised by Haldiram. As a result, an interim suspension order has been issued, instructing GoDaddy to immediately deactivate all suspicious domains resembling the Haldiram name until the next scheduled hearing.
This judicial intervention is expected to act as a precedent for similar cases of cybersquatting and brand impersonation. The Sprouts News Team confirms that the case has triggered attention within India’s legal and cybersecurity communities, prompting discussions around more proactive domain governance.
Implications for Cyber Law and Brand Protection
This incident sheds light on the increasing threats posed by digital brand impersonation and underscores the urgency for stricter enforcement of trademark protections online. Experts say such scams not only cause financial harm but also erode long-standing brand trust.
As domain abuse becomes more sophisticated, legal frameworks will need to evolve to ensure faster intervention and platform accountability. With leading consumer brands like Haldiram becoming frequent targets, this ruling may push registrars like GoDaddy to strengthen pre-screening of domain names and react more swiftly to verified trademark complaints.
