Pure business dispute, nothing between brothers: Abhishek Lodha in case with HoABL
MD Abhishek Lodha of Realty company Macrotech Developers on Sunday said there is a “pure dispute” between his company and the House of Abhinandan Lodha over the use of the brand and it has “nothing to do with the brothers”.
Macrotech Developers recently filed a case in the Bombay High Court against House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL), founded by his younger brother Abhinandan Lodha, for infringing its trademarks and sought appropriate injunctions, compensation, and damages.
In an interview with PTI, Abhishek Lodha said he has no problem with his younger brother Abhinandan Lodha running a real estate business, but asserted that his company has every right to protect its trademarks — ‘Lodha’ and ‘Lodha Group’.
Macrotech Developers is listed on the stock exchange and is one of the leading real estate companies in the country, while House of Abhinand Lodha is planning developments in various cities including Ayodhya.
Breaking the silence on the matter, Abhishek said, “He (Abhinandan) is my brother. I love him very much and I’ve done everything I could to support him, and I wish him the best. It’s a very simple trademark point.” He emphasized that consumers have the right to know which company they are dealing with.
The name ‘Lodha’ has been created through many efforts over the past four decades, he said, adding that “as a company we will not allow our brand to be diluted”.
Noting that Macrotech has some of the world’s leading investors as its shareholders, Abhishek said the company was forced to file the petition to protect the interest of its consumers and shareholders.
“He is my brother, I wish him well, but the company will do everything it has to do to protect this thing, I have no problem with him doing real estate, I want him to be successful in every way but he is successful in every way, but I have no problem with him. not by confusing the buyer that he is dealing with the Lodha group, everyone sees him as a leading engineer from India,” asserts Abhishek.
However, he asserted, “It has nothing to do with our brothers. It is a pure rivalry between the company.” The matter will be heard on Monday in the Bombay High Court.
Abhinandan Lodha had quit Macrotech Developers (formerly Lodha Developers) in 2015 to start his own business.
Responding to the case filed in the high court, HoABL founder Abhinandan Lodha said in a statement last week that Macrotech Developers “can’t digest” his company’s success.
“Since Macrotech Developers Ltd has filed a case in the High Court, we will be responding legally,” said Abhinandan, while recounting his efforts to build the name Lodha before his separation from his brother.
Abhinandan also said that he has helped Macrotech financially even after the split.
“I hope my family will respect all the commitments I made to myself as I have fulfilled not only all my obligations but also beyond that, whenever I am asked to help with advice, time and money,” said Abhinandan.
In a regulatory filing on January 22, Macrotech Developers explained the reasons for this decision.
“Abhinandan Lodha and his associated entities are doing real estate business and creating confusion in the minds of consumers regarding their association with ‘Lodha’ and ‘Lodha Group’,” Macrotech said.
HoABL is marketing their business in a deceptive manner and/or similar to our widely known and highly valued brand name ‘LODHA’ and ‘LODHA GROUP’, allegedly by Macrotech, while citing other incidents in the regulatory filing.
“We have been contacted by many customers regarding their issues/questions with HoABL, which proves the deliberate confusion created among stakeholders with HoABL’s marketing and communications,” said Macrotech.
Macrotech had said it was important for the company to protect its IPR (intellectual property right).
On Saturday, Macrotech Developers reported an 88 percent rise in its consolidated profit to Rs 944.4 crore for the quarter ended December on higher earnings amid strong housing demand.
Net profit stood at Rs 503.3 crore in the year-ago period.
Net income rose to Rs 4,146.6 crore in the third quarter from Rs 2,958.7 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.
For the April-December financial period of 2024-25, the company’s net profit doubled to Rs 1,842.6 crore from Rs 883.6 crore in the corresponding period last year.
Total revenue rose to Rs 9,749.5 crore in the first nine months of this fiscal from Rs 6,385.6 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.
On the operating side, Macrotech achieved Rs 12,820 crore in pre-sales till December in this fiscal showing a growth of 25 percent.
The company hopes to achieve a booking target of Rs 17,500 crore for this amount.
Macrotech Developers has delivered ~ 100 million square feet of real estate and is currently developing over 110 million square feet under its ongoing and planned portfolio.
