During the ongoing IPL, Australian cricketer Travis Head found himself caught in a legal dispute between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Uber India Systems Pvt Ltd. RCB filed a lawsuit against Uber for infringement and disparagement in an advertisement featuring Head promoting Uber’s bike-taxi service. In the ad, Head is seen vandalizing a stadium with the words ‘Royally Challenged Bengaluru’ before escaping in an Uber Moto.
RCB’s parent company accused Uber of brand distortion and copyright infringement for using the phrase ‘Ee saala cup naamde’, which is trademarked by RCB. RCB’s counsel argued that Uber’s use of their trademark to promote a competitor was against the law. On the other hand, Uber claimed that referring to RCB in the ad was fair use and covered under commercial free speech.
After hearing both sides, the judge reserved the order, stating that an injunction cannot be passed without evidence of active disparagement. The off-pitch battle between RCB and Uber will be settled on May 13 when RCB and SRH meet on the field at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
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