Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and a tech billionaire, launched an offensive against an Indian battery manufacturer on Friday for allegedly stealing the brand name of an automaker for personal advantage.
According to Reuters, the lawsuit was filed in New Delhi and the Indian business was operating under the name Tesla Power.
According to the proceedings posted on the High Court’s website, the Texas-based electric vehicle manufacturer claimed during the hearing in the Indian capital that the Indian business had persisted in using the “Tesla Power” trademark to advertise its goods in spite of a cease-and-desist letter given in April 2022.
According to Tesla Power India Pvt Ltd, the company’s primary business is the production of lead acid batteries; electric car manufacturing is not one of its goals.
After submitting its defense, the Indian company was given three weeks to provide written reply.
The Indian firm was accused of utilizing the trade names “Tesla Power” and “Tesla Power USA” by the 52-year-old billionaire’s Delaware-incorporated corporation.
According to the source, images of a website from the court file revealed that Tesla Power USA LLC also had its headquarters in Delaware and was well-known for being a pioneer in the introduction of reasonably priced batteries, with a significant presence in India.
Manoj Pahwa, a spokesman for Tesla Power, told the newspaper: “It was in India long before Musk’s Tesla and had all the necessary government licenses. Never have we asserted any kinship with Elon Musk’s Tesla company.”
According to Musk’s business, the Indian company started using its brand name in 2022 and tried to stop, but was unable.
Days after Elon Musk postponed his April 21 visit to the nuclear-armed nation to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the lawsuit was filed.
I am a dedicated student currently in my seventh semester, pursuing a degree in International Relations. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am actively engaged in the professional field as a content writer at the Rangeinn website.