Trademark Investigation by BrandProCare for Lookalike Energy Drinks in Southern India

Challenge

A fast-growing energy drink brand approached BrandProCare after witnessing a sharp and unexplained decline in sales across southern Indian markets. Despite stable demand and strong distributor relationships, the client’s revenue and market share were steadily eroding.

Initial indicators suggested the presence of lookalike energy drink products using deceptively similar names, packaging colours, and trade dress — creating confusion at the retail level and diverting sales away from the original brand.

The client’s key concern was clear: identify who was behind the lookalikes, where they were coming from, and how widely they were being sold — without alerting the infringers.

BrandProCare’s Trademark Investigation & Surveillance Approach

BrandProCare initiated a discreet, intelligence-led trademark investigation, designed to uncover the full commercial ecosystem behind the infringing products.

Market Intelligence & Territory Mapping

Southern markets with the highest revenue drop were identified and prioritised
Distributor feedback and secondary sales data were analysed to narrow down high-risk zones
Key retail clusters, wholesale markets, and distribution routes were mapped

Discreet Retail Surveillance

Investigators conducted undercover retail visits across multiple cities to locate lookalike energy drinks
Products were purchased as ordinary consumers to avoid suspicion
Packaging, branding elements, pricing, batch details, and manufacturing information were documented

Supply Chain Tracing

Using discreet conversations with retailers, transporters, and wholesalers, BrandProCare traced:
- Source distributors
- Delivery patterns and restocking cycles
- Key intermediaries facilitating circulation
Surveillance was conducted at select locations to identify movement of stock and supply points

Source Identification

Through continuous intelligence gathering and cross-verification, BrandProCare successfully identified:

The manufacturer behind the lookalike energy drinks
Storage and dispatch locations
The network of distributors operating across southern states

All intelligence was gathered without tipping off the infringing party.

Evidence Compilation

BrandProCare compiled a comprehensive investigation dossier including:

Physical samples of infringing products
Photographic and video evidence of retail sale
Bills, transport details, and distributor linkages
Chronological surveillance logs establishing commercial scale and intent

Outcome

Armed with BrandProCare’s investigation findings, the client:

Took swift and targeted enforcement action against the infringing network
Disrupted the circulation of lookalike energy drinks in key southern markets
Recovered lost market share and stabilised revenues
Strengthened distributor confidence by demonstrating active brand protection

BrandProCare’s trademark investigation and surveillance capabilities enabled the client to move from suspicion to certainty — protecting brand value, restoring revenue, and deterring future infringement.

Disclaimer

This case study is anonymized and intended only for information.

Challenge

BrandProCare’s Trademark Investigation & Surveillance Approach

Outcome

Disclaimer

Anil Kumar

Stanley

Sandeep Beniwal

Divanshu Luthra

Surinder Kumar