ISSUE:
Whether or not the action for passing off is maintainable against the registered proprietor of a trademark by the respondents who are not the registered proprietors of the 'whirlpool' trademark concerning washing machines?
Whether or not the respondent acquired a transborder reputation?
Whether such transborder reputation transcends territorial boundaries or not?
RULE:
The doctrine of transborder reputation recognizes that a trademark can acquire goodwill in a country even if it is not used or registered in that country. This is because consumers in one country may be aware of a trademark from another country through advertising, international trade, or other means.