Anupam Mittal, the founder of Shaadi.com and a prominent judge on Shark Tank India, has launched a sharp critique against major technology corporations. He specifically names Google, Apple, Amazon, Meta (Facebook), and Microsoft, accusing them of enabling digital 'free-riders' to breach the hard-earned trust established by brands over decades.
Legal Victory Sparks Broader Criticism
Mittal's criticism comes on the heels of a significant legal win. The Bombay High Court recently ruled in favor of Mittal's People Group in a case against domain squatters. These entities were misusing the Shaadi name through lookalike websites designed purely to confuse users.
The court's judgment is substantial. It officially recognized Shaadi.com as a 'well-known trademark' under Section 2(1)(zg) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999. This designation grants the brand broader legal protection against infringement across all industries, not just its own. The court also awarded costs of 25 lakh rupees plus interest to Mittal's company.
Mittal's Viral LinkedIn Post
Celebrating the win on LinkedIn, Mittal posted a detailed message that quickly went viral. "I don't like to fight but if I have to, I go all in," he began. He clarified that the defendants were not mere imitators or competitors. They were "straight-up lookalikes designed to confuse users and siphon trust."
Mittal emphasized the core issue. "Brands aren't built on logos," he wrote. "They're built on decades of spend, consistency, customer faith, and restraint. Yet squatters show up late, copy the recall, and free-ride."
He then connected this problem directly to the practices of Big Tech. "Worse, globally, Big Tech has normalized this behavior by monetizing brand keywords and disintermediating the very companies that built demand in the first place," Mittal stated, suggesting these platforms profit from the confusion.
A Signal for Indian Brands
For Mittal, the court decision represents more than just a personal victory. "So this judgment matters. A lot," he asserted. "It says Indian courts are finally recognizing that IP (Intellectual Property) is not a technicality. It's the economic engine of brand trust."
He framed the ruling as a "huge win for us" but an even "bigger win for every Indian brand and legal professionals playing the long game." It sets a precedent for stronger enforcement of trademark rights in the digital age.
Mittal echoed similar sentiments on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). "You don't spend decades building a brand so squatters can free-ride on it," he posted. "The Bombay High Court ruling against Shaadi.com domain misuse is a big signal — IP protection in India is finally getting real. Good for brands. Long overdue."
The Core of the Conflict
The case highlights a growing tension between legacy brands and the digital ecosystem. Established companies invest immense resources over years to build reputation and customer loyalty. Meanwhile, bad actors can quickly create copycat domains or leverage search engine advertising on platforms owned by tech giants to mislead consumers.
Mittal's argument points a finger at the business models of companies like Google and Meta. Their advertising systems often allow competitors or fraudsters to bid on and use trademarked brand names as keywords, potentially diverting traffic and eroding trust. His comments suggest a call for these platforms to take greater responsibility in policing such abuses.
The Bombay High Court's firm stance, recognizing Shaadi.com's trademark status and penalizing the squatters, is being viewed as a landmark moment. It indicates a judicial shift towards stronger protection for intellectual property in India's rapidly evolving online marketplace.
