Archive · 28 Nov 2025
Delhi HC restrains firms from infringing Tesla's trademarks
Tesla, a big company that makes electric cars, opened its first store in India.
Before that, the Delhi High Court said other companies can't use Tesla's name or logo.
These other companies were selling electric scooters and using a name similar to Tesla.
They said they were inspired by a famous scientist named Nikola Tesla.
But the court said Tesla has the right to protect its name, even if it's not selling cars in India yet.
The court also said the other companies were trying to trick people into thinking they were Tesla.
The court decided that the other companies can't use the Tesla name anymore.
Delhi High Court restrained firms from infringing Tesla's trademarks days before Tesla's first Indian showroom launch.
Tesla Inc alleged that defendants, including Tesla Power India, were manufacturing and selling electric scooters using similar trademarks.
Defendants claimed they adopted the mark in 2020, inspired by Nikola Tesla, and had substantial sales and distributors in India.
Justice Tejas Karia held that Tesla Inc has established goodwill and a prima facie case of passing off, regardless of whether Tesla is selling products in India.
The court rejected defendants' arguments, noting the likelihood of consumer confusion due to the allied nature of goods.
- Who
- Tesla Inc and Tesla Power India Private Limited and others
- What
- Delhi High Court restrained firms from infringing Tesla's trademarks
- When
- November 24, 2024
- Where
- Delhi High Court, India
- Why
- To protect Tesla's trademarks and prevent consumer confusion
- Company
- Tesla Inc
- Defendants
- Tesla Power India Private Limited and others
- Court
- Delhi High Court
- Judge
- Justice Tejas Karia
- Date of Order
- November 24, 2024
- Defendants' Claim
- Adopted mark in 2020, inspired by Nikola Tesla
- Defendants' Sales
- Rs 360 crore (FY 2020 till March 31, 2024)
- Defendants' Advertising Spend
- Rs 15 crore