A court in Rajasthan, India, has barred the US hotel group Hilton International from operating in India under that brand, holding that it was "deceptively similar" to the Sirohi-based Hilltone Hotel.

Additional district judge Narinder Singh Dadda has restrained Hilton from using any kind of "misleading logo and mark" which has the potential to cause confusion among the public and directed it not to carry on the business of hotel and food provision under "such duplicate trademark". The court rejected the contention of Hilton International - which operates in 80 countries worldwide and has a joint venture in India with DLF - that the domestic firm had adopted its name and trademark in order the derive the benefits of Hilton's fame and reputation.

The order was based on a petition from Hotel Hilltone founded in 1973 and headquartered in Sirohi, Rajasthan. The petitioner contended that it was registered under the Companies Act, 1956. Hilton International Corporation, in confirming the injunction issued against it, says it has appealed the decision before the Rajasthan High Court's Jodhpur Bench.