Uncategorized

Delhi High Court Halts Tesla Power India’s ‘Tesla’ Ads Amid Trademark Dispute

yashmaansingh 5 months ago 2 min read

Court Intervenes in Branding Battle

The Delhi High Court has issued an interim order restraining Gurugram-based Tesla Power India from advertising any electric vehicle (EV)-related products under the “Tesla” name. This move comes after Tesla Inc. filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against the Indian firm, claiming its use of the Tesla brand causes confusion among consumers.

What Was Barred

As per the court’s order, Tesla Power India is now prohibited from using the “Tesla” mark in all advertisements — including on the internet and ecommerce platforms — for batteries, inverters, automotive UPS systems, sealed maintenance-free lead-acid (VRLA) batteries, and lithium-ion batteries. Justice Tejas Karia noted that even though Tesla Power CEO Kavinder Khurana had earlier assured the court that the company had no plans to enter the EV manufacturing sector, the restraining order must stay in place until the full case is decided.

Tesla Inc vs Tesla Power India

Tesla Inc had first approached the court in May 2024, after Tesla Power India began marketing electric vehicle-related products using the Tesla trademark. In its filings, Tesla Inc argued that the Indian company’s branding was misleading customers, with many assuming that Tesla Power’s EV offerings were linked to the global electric vehicle maker.

Tesla Power India, however, insisted it was only involved in producing lead-acid batteries for conventional vehicles and inverters — not manufacturing EVs.The company said the advertisements using the Tesla name were connected to a marketing partnership with another firm, e‑Ashwa, and not part of its own EV production plans.

Dispute Escalates Over E-Scooters

The tension escalated when Tesla Inc later accused Tesla Power India of violating the earlier undertaking by selling electric scooters under different sub-brands. The court had then demanded that Tesla Power file an affidavit detailing how many e-scooters it sold and disclose the inventory with dealers. Meanwhile, Tesla Power maintained that it had asked partners and vendors to remove the Tesla logo from e-scooters, and that it did not wish to market anything beyond its stated business.

Implications for the EV Market

This interim ruling gives temporary relief to Tesla Inc in its bid to protect its globally recognized brand in the Indian electric mobility market. For Tesla Power India, the court’s order means its marketing, packaging, and online listings may need to be revised significantly — especially for products that previously carried the Tesla brand. The final verdict in this trademark dispute will likely set an important precedent for how EV-related companies in India handle branding and intellectual property.