Shark Tank India Contestant Aquapeya Ordered to Halt manufacturing & Sales After Bisleri Lawsuit

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has issued an interim order directing Aquapeya, a packaged water brand that secured funding on Shark Tank India, to cease manufacturing and selling its products. The order comes after Bisleri International filed a lawsuit against Natvits Beverages, the company behind Aquapeya, alleging trademark and copyright infringement.

The dispute gained traction following the airing of Shark Tank India Season 4 on January 20, where Aquapeya received Rs 70 lakh for 3% equity and a 1% royalty from judges Namita Thapar and Ritesh Agarwal. Bisleri argued in court that Aquapeya's branding is "deceptively similar" to its own, accusing it of using "pirated artworks" and attempting to capitalize on Bisleri’s market goodwill.

The Bombay High Court has directed Aquapeya to immediately halt all activities related to its packaged water brand, including manufacturing, packaging, distribution, and marketing. This ruling comes just a month after Bisleri initiated legal proceedings.

During their Shark Tank pitch, Aquapeya's founders, Tushar and Ravi Mundada, admitted to selecting the green color—closely associated with Bisleri—stating that consumers often identify brands by color. However, this approach has now landed them in legal trouble.

The case has also sparked debate over the credibility of Shark Tank India’s screening process. Legal experts question why a company allegedly involved in intellectual property (IP) infringement was allowed on a public platform and why judges endorsed its business model.

The legal proceedings are ongoing, and it remains to be seen how Aquapeya will navigate this major setback.