A court in India has ordered an Amazon unit to pay$39 million in damages for trademark infringement after unauthorised 'Beverly Hills Polo Club' garments were sold on its platform.

The ruling marks one of the highest damages awarded against a US company in an Indian trademark case. Lifestyle Equities, the owner of the Beverly Hills Polo Club brand, filed the lawsuit in 2020, alleging that Amazon's Indian website was selling apparel with nearly identical branding at lower prices.

The Delhi High Court found that the infringing brand was owned by Amazon Technologies and sold directly on the platform. Judges noted that the logos were 'hardly distinguishable' and stated that Amazon was aware of the brand's exclusive rights, citing previous legal disputes in the United Kingdom.

The ruling includes a permanent injunction, barring Amazon from selling counterfeit products with the Beverly Hills Polo Club branding. The company has denied wrongdoing, and its representatives have not commented on the decision.

Amazon has faced similar legal battles before, including a trademark dispute in London, where it lost an appeal last year. Critics have long accused the e-commerce giant of engaging in predatory practices, with a 2021 Reuters investigation alleging that Amazon manipulated search results to promote its own private brands in India.

The recent court decision has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of trademark laws and fair business practices in the country.