NEW DELHI — Tesla, the carmaker founded by Elon Musk, has taken legal action against an Indian battery manufacturer for violating its trademark by using the name “Tesla Power” to market its products. The lawsuit aims to secure damages and a permanent injunction from a New Delhi court against the company.
During a recent hearing at the Delhi High Court, Tesla argued that the Indian company, Tesla Power India Pvt Ltd, continued to advertise products under the “Tesla Power” brand even after receiving a cease-and-desist notice in April 2022. The court session details, posted on the court’s website, revealed this information.
In response, Tesla Power India Pvt Ltd claimed that its primary focus is on producing “lead acid batteries” and reiterated that it has no plans to enter the electric vehicle market. The court granted the Indian company a three-week period to provide written responses and submit supportive documents to defend its position.
According to Tesla’s legal team, the Indian company unlawfully used the trade names “Tesla Power” and “Tesla Power USA”. Evidence presented included screenshots of a website indicating that Tesla Power USA LLC, also based in Delaware, was recognized for its innovative and cost-effective battery solutions and had established a strong presence in India.
Tesla, headquartered in Delaware, claimed to have discovered the unauthorized use of its brand in 2022 and attempted, without success, to prevent the Indian company from continuing this practice. The lawsuit was filed as a result of the ongoing infringement.
In light of the legal dispute, Elon Musk’s planned visit to India was canceled, leading to speculation that his subsequent visit to China was perceived as a snub to Indian authorities. Musk reportedly made progress in China towards launching the company’s advanced driver assistance package during the visit.
The Tesla India trademark case is scheduled for the next hearing on May 22. For any press or media inquiries, Tesla Power is yet to respond to requests for comments regarding the legal proceedings.
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