Tesla Inc, the electric vehicle (EV) giant helmed by Elon Musk, has initiated legal action against Gurugram-based Tesla Power India Ltd for trademark infringement, according to records from the Delhi High Court, reports The Indian Express.
The case is around allegations of Tesla Power India Ltd utilizing trade names such as “Tesla Power” and “Tesla Power USA”, which Tesla Inc claims infringes upon its own trademarks.
In response to the allegations, Tesla Power India Ltd informed the court that the company has no intention to manufacture EVs and will not market other entities’ EVs as well under their trademark and tradename ‘Tesla Power USA’ or any other brand deceptively similar or use the word ‘Tesla’.
Tesla Inc also told the court that it had sent a “cease and desist notice” to the Indian company on April 18, 2022, however, it continued to advertise and market their goods. It is after this the “present lawsuit was filed”.
The Delhi High Court has asked the Indian company to submit its response in three weeks. The case will be next heard on May 22.
This comes in the backdrop of the much-awaited Musk’s visit to India in April which was later postponed. He was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also announce plans for the EV maker to enter India’s market.
“Unfortunately, very heavy Tesla obligations require that the visit to India be delayed, but I do very much look forward to visiting later this year,” Musk had posted on X.
Interestingly, Musk made a surprise visit to China, just a week later, to push for an advanced driver assistance package.
