Lodha vs Lodha: Abhishek Lodha Speaks Out on Trademark Dispute
Abhishek Lodha, Managing Director of Macrotech Developers, has broken his silence regarding the ongoing trademark dispute with his younger brother Abhinandan Lodha’s company, the House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL). In an exclusive interview with Mint, Abhishek clarified that the issue is purely a matter of trademark infringement, emphasizing that there is no personal dispute between the brothers.
Macrotech Developers, known for its high-profile real estate projects, recently filed a lawsuit in the Bombay High Court against HoABL for allegedly infringing on its trademark. The lawsuit seeks appropriate injunctions, damages, and reliefs due to the alleged misuse of the "Lodha" brand, which is associated with Macrotech Developers.
Trademark Infringement, Not Personal Dispute
Abhishek explained that the legal action was necessary to protect the Lodha brand, which has been repeatedly used in ways that could mislead customers. "There are many instances where the Lodha brand has been misused to mislead customers. Otherwise, why would I take this step?" he said. "I love my brother, and this is very painful, but this is a publicly listed company with global investors and a significant shareholder in India’s largest charitable entities. The brand is too valuable to be used improperly."
Abhishek also emphasized that the company had exhausted every possible effort to resolve the matter privately, but legal action became unavoidable to protect the integrity of the brand.
The Value of the Lodha Brand
For Abhishek, the Lodha brand is not just a name but a vital part of Macrotech Developers' identity. "In real estate, the brand is the ultimate identifier. It represents quality, financial stability, and integrity," he said. "When customers buy property, they trust the brand, and that trust influences their decisions."
He further noted that the company is committed to protecting the brand to ensure that consumers are not misled. "When consumers deal with Lodha, they must know they are dealing with Macrotech Developers’ Lodha brand."
Family Separation and Company Responsibility
Abhishek also addressed the separation of the family business, which led to Abhinandan founding his own real estate company. "When the family split, there were ₹20,000 crore in liabilities, and I took on that responsibility. I have no issue with Abhinandan starting his own real estate venture, but our brand cannot be used by anyone else," he stated.
Macrotech Developers' Strong Performance
Despite the ongoing legal dispute, Macrotech Developers has been performing strongly. In its recent financial report for the quarter ending in December, the company reported an 88% increase in consolidated net profit, which reached ₹944.4 crore. This was driven by higher income and robust housing demand. The company’s total income grew from ₹2,958.7 crore to ₹4,146.6 crore year-on-year.
Additionally, Macrotech achieved ₹12,820 crore in pre-sales until December 2024, marking a 25% growth compared to the previous year. The company is confident of meeting its fiscal year’s sales target of ₹17,500 crore.
A Leading Player in Real Estate
Macrotech Developers is one of India’s largest real estate firms, having delivered approximately 100 million square feet of real estate. The company is currently working on more than 110 million square feet of ongoing and planned projects.