Tesla moves Delhi HC alleging infringement of its trademark ‘Tesla’ by Gurugram-based Tesla Power India

US electric vehicle (EV) major Tesla Inc on Thursday moved the Delhi High Court alleging infringement of its trademark ‘Tesla’ by Gurugram-based Tesla Power India.

While seeking to restrain Tesla Power from using its trademark, senior counsel Chander Lall, appearing for Tesla Inc, argued that the local firms's use of the trademark in India was not only causing confusion among consumers but also harming its business interests. He also submitted that complaints against Tesla Power batteries are being directed to the US firm as consumers are assuming that these are associated with Tesla Inc.

The senior counsel claimed that Tesla Power had been advertising its batteries in national dailies as an EV company and had been using the foreign firm’s logo.

The Tesla Inc. counsel sought urgent action against Tesla Power's use of the Tesla trademark and its passing off, citing potential damage to their brand and business interests in India.

Justice Anish Dayal issued notice to Tesla Power on the US firm’s petition and restrained Tesla Power from publishing any promotional advertisements featuring EV products with a similar Tesla trademark till May 22, the next date of hearing.

However, the HC said that Tesla Inc had not shown any urgency in the matter as it was communicating with Tesla Power since 2020 over the alleged illegal use of its trademark.

Tesla Power argued that it is not manufacturing EV batteries but rather selling lead acid batteries used in conventional vehicles and inverters.

Kavinder Khurana, Chairman of Tesla Power India, who was personally present in the court, said that it would not be manufacturing or marketing its EV under Tesla brand, but it had a partnership firm in the US.

He said that it had no plans to enter the EV market and clarified that the advertisement featuring the Tesla trademark was related to another company, e-Ashwa, with whom Tesla Power has a strategic partnership to sell branded products.

According to Khurana, Tesla Power had been in business since last for years and has over million customers in India.