Relief for TAFE in Madras HC on use of Massey Ferguson brand

Tractors and Farm Equipment (TAFE) on Monday said the Madras high court has ordered a status quo on the usage of the Massey Ferguson brand in India in its favour. The Chennai-based company said that the latest ruling allows it to continue the exclusive use of the Massey Ferguson brand in India ‘until disposal of the ongoing brand suit’.

“The Honourable Judge passed orders on TAFE’s applications after a detailed hearing, observing that TAFE had made out a ‘prima facie’ case and that the ‘balance of convenience’ is in favour of TAFE. TAFE has been using the brand uninterruptedly since 1960 in India,” the company said in a release.

In November 2024, a division bench of the Madras high court had overturned an earlier interim injunction, restoring the status quo and allowing TAFE to continue using the ‘Massey Ferguson’ brand for tractors sold in India. The US-based AGCO and TAFE had both claimed that the status quo was in their favour.

AGCO said that the court had affirmed it as the registered proprietor and owner of the ‘Massey Ferguson’ trademarks in India, while TAFE maintained that the court had recognised its long-standing association with the brand and directed the status quo in its favour.

The latest ruling has extended the status quo on Massey Ferguson brand usage in favour of TAFE, a joint venture between Massey Ferguson, a part of the AGCO Group, and Amalgamations Group.TAFE and AGCO are locked in a legal dispute over the latter’s right to use the Massey Ferguson brand.

TAFE is the largest shareholder in AGCO, the world’s third-largest farm equipment manufacturer. AGCO maintains that it owns the 177-year-old Massey Ferguson brand and trademarks globally, including in India, and will continue to vigorously defend its position.

In September 2024, AGCO announced the termination of its agreements with TAFE, including the brand licence for Massey Ferguson, following a similar attempt in April 2024. TAFE challenged the move in court and secured interim relief. It also filed a contempt petition against AGCO, arguing that the termination notice violated the court’s previous protective orders and was issued without proper notice.

AGCO said it will continue to defend its 177-year-old Massey Ferguson brand worldwide, including in India. 

“We are in the process of considering the terms of the order and will take the appropriate legal measures to dispute the order including by way of appeal. As proud owners, we are committed to preserving the Massey Ferguson legacy and safeguarding intellectual property,” said a statement from AGCO.