Tesla, the renowned carmaker led by Elon Musk, has initiated legal action against an Indian battery manufacturer for allegedly infringing its trademark by utilising the name “Tesla Power” to promote its products. The lawsuit seeks damages and a permanent injunction from a New Delhi judge.
During a hearing at the Delhi High Court, Tesla presented evidence that the Indian company Tesla Power India Pvt Ltd continued to market its products under the “Tesla Power” brand despite receiving a cease-and-desist notice in April 2022. The Indian firm argued that its core business focuses on manufacturing lead-acid batteries, and it has no intentions of entering the electric vehicle market.
In response, the judge granted the Indian company three weeks to provide written responses after submitting documents supporting its defence. The court record revealed that Tesla accused the Indian company of utilising trade names “Tesla Power” and “Tesla Power USA,” with screenshots indicating the existence of a company named Tesla Power USA LLC headquartered in Delaware.
A Tesla Power India Pvt Ltd representative emphasised that the company had been operating in India before Musk’s Tesla and clarified that it had never claimed any affiliation with his company.
The lawsuit comes after Musk cancelled his planned visit to India in April, opting for a surprise visit to China, where Tesla made strides in implementing its advanced driver assistance package. The next Tesla India trademark case hearing is scheduled for May 22.
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