Supreme Court orders Telangana institutes to clearly disclaim Princeton link
HYDERABAD: The Supreme Court has directed six educational institutions in Telangana, including The Vagdevi Educational Society, to clearly state that they have no connection with Princeton University in the United States.
A Bench of Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and K Vinod Chandran issued the directions on May 29 while disposing of appeals filed by Princeton University in a trademark dispute.
Princeton University argued that the institutions’ use of the “Princeton” name could mislead students and the public. The university said people might wrongly assume an affiliation with the prestigious US institution, which could harm its reputation and brand value.
The Telangana institutions told the court that they have used the “Princeton” name since 1991 and operate only within the state.
Institutions Must Display Clear Disclaimers
The Supreme Court ordered the institutions to publish clear disclaimers on their websites, prospectuses and admission-related materials.
The court said the disclaimer must appear in the largest font used on the website. It must clearly state that the institutions have no connection with Princeton University, New Jersey, USA.
The institutions must also publish the disclaimer in newspapers across Telangana. In addition, they must install prominent signboards outside their campuses carrying the same message.
The court further directed them to print the disclaimer in bold on all certificates issued to students.
Directions Before Next Admission Cycle
The Bench instructed the institutions to implement all these measures before the start of the next academic year’s admission process.
The court said these steps would help prevent confusion among students and parents regarding any association with Princeton University.
Supreme Court Notes High Court Findings
The Supreme Court also referred to earlier observations by a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court.
The High Court had found a prima facie case in favour of Princeton University. However, it also noted that the Telangana institutions had operated under the name for many years.
The High Court concluded that the balance of convenience favoured the Telangana institutions. It therefore allowed the existing colleges to continue using the name.
However, the High Court barred them from using the “Princeton” name for any new institutions. It also required them to submit financial records twice a year and comply with other conditions.
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