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Home Case Index All Cases Insolvency and Bankruptcy Insolvency and Bankruptcy + Tri Insolvency and Bankruptcy - 2021 (2) TMI Tri This

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2021 (2) TMI 161 - Tri - Insolvency and Bankruptcy


Issues Involved:
1. Validity of Assignment Agreement transferring intellectual property rights.
2. Setting aside ex parte order and condoning delay in filing application.
3. Jurisdiction of the Tribunal to review or set aside its orders.

Analysis:

Issue 1: Validity of Assignment Agreement transferring intellectual property rights
The dispute in the case revolved around an Assignment Agreement dated 15.11.2017, where the 3rd Respondent, who was in control of the Corporate Debtor, transferred a valuable intellectual property, the Trademark 'MERCURE,' to a related party for a nominal sum. The Tribunal found the Agreement undervalued, malafide, and fraudulently executed to defraud creditors. Consequently, the Tribunal declared the Agreement null and void, vesting back the Trademark with the Corporate Debtor and restoring their rightful ownership. The Registrar of Trademarks was directed to record the annulment of the Assignment Agreement and restore the Corporate Debtor as the sole proprietor of the Trademark.

Issue 2: Setting aside ex parte order and condoning delay in filing application
The Applicant, who was set ex parte in the proceedings, sought to set aside the order and filed an application to condone the delay in filing. The Applicant argued that the delay was due to the national lockdown and relied on the Supreme Court's extension of limitation orders. However, Respondent No.1 opposed, stating that the Final Orders had been pronounced, and the Tribunal had become functus officio. The Tribunal observed that multiple opportunities were given to the Applicant, and the ex parte order had attained finality. Consequently, the Tribunal dismissed the application, citing no merit in setting aside the order.

Issue 3: Jurisdiction of the Tribunal to review or set aside its orders
Respondent No.1 contended that the Tribunal lacked the power to review or set aside its orders once final orders had been pronounced. Citing judicial pronouncements and statutory provisions, Respondent No.1 argued against entertaining the application due to the Applicant's laches in properly representing itself despite opportunities provided. The Tribunal agreed with Respondent No.1, stating that the Final order had attained judicial finality, and there was no reason to modify or dispense with the proceedings.

In conclusion, the Tribunal dismissed the application, emphasizing the finality of the orders pronounced and the lack of merit in setting aside the ex parte order. The judgment underscores the importance of timely representation in legal proceedings and the limitations on the Tribunal's jurisdiction to review finalized orders.

 

 

 

 

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