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The Delhi High Court will hear the infringement case between Tesla Inc and Tesla Power India on April 15
The Delhi HC had referred that case to the Delhi Mediation and Conciliation Centre asking both the parties to take the mediation route
The Global EV giant is surrounded with this legal chaos at a time when its all set to enter the India’s $54 Bn EV market
After mediation between Elon Musk’s Tesla Inc and Delhi NCR-based Tesla Power India Limited to resolve their trademark dispute failed, both the parties reportedly informed the Delhi High Court yesterday, seeking an urgent hearing.
A Bar and Bench report said that justice Saurabh Banerjee of the Delhi HC has agreed to hear the US electric vehicle giant ‘s trademark infringement dispute on April 15.
Tesla Inc Vs Tesla Power India: What has Happened So Far
In May last year, Tesla Inc filed a trademark infringement suit in the Delhi HC against Tesla Power India, alleging the company was using the ‘Tesla’ name and logo to mislead consumers into believing that it was related to Musk’s electric vehicle company.
Tesla further alleged that in 2021, Tesla Power Limited also announced its foray into the EV manufacturing sector through a promotional article. Following that, the Musk’s company had sent a cease-and-desist notice to the battery maker.
However, Tesla Power’s chief executive Kavinder Khurana defended the argument saying that his entity was engaged in the business of lead acid batteries, which are supplied for automobiles, inverters, and UPS, and does not manufacture EVs. Besides, he also said that its US-based entity named ‘TESLA POWER USA’ does not exist anymore.
Later in a hearing on May 28, the court asked the Tesla Power to submit an affidavit detailing the stocks and sales of their EV scooters, which includes providing the names of dealers, dates of launch and current stock availability. The HC also barred the entity to further market and promote the sale of their EV scooters.
In June, the Delhi HC referred the case to the Delhi Mediation and Conciliation Centre asking both the parties to take the mediation route.
Tesla Inc argued that the use of its trademark ‘Tesla’ in India is confusing the consumers and is potentially damaging the business interests of the company in the region.
This also comes at a time when Musk’s Tesla is looking to enter India’s $54 Bn EV market, which is projected to become a $132 Bn burgeoning opportunity by 2030.
Last month, Tesla kicked off the homologation process, which refers to obtaining documents that certifies a manufacturer’s car to be worthy of plying in India. The company has also signed a lease agreement to set up a showroom in Mumbai’s plush Bandra Kurla Complex.
