In a significant legal tussle, the Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) concerning a trademark infringement allegation raised by the publishers of the popular children’s magazine Champak. The magazine has objected to the IPL’s use of the name ‘Champak’ for its AI robotic dog, claiming it infringes on its registered trademark.
Justice Saurabh Banerjee directed the BCCI to submit a written response within four weeks and scheduled the next hearing for July 9. The lawsuit was initiated by Delhi Press Patra Prakashan Pvt Ltd, which has been the publisher of Champak since 1968. The magazine is well-regarded among children for its engaging content and distinct brand identity.
Advocate Amit Gupta, representing the magazine’s publishers, argued that the IPL’s choice to name the robotic dog ‘Champak’ constitutes a clear violation of their trademark, amounting to not only infringement but also commercial exploitation given the magazine’s widespread recognition.
On the other hand, BCCI’s counsel, Senior Advocate J Sai Deepak, countered by stating that ‘Champak’ refers to a type of flower, and the robotic dog’s name was meant to resonate with a character from a television series rather than the children’s magazine.
An intriguing point was raised during the proceedings when Justice Banerjee inquired why the magazine had not previously objected to Indian cricketer Virat Kohli’s nickname ‘Chiku,’ which is also the name of a character in Champak. This query highlighted the complexities of trademark claims involving popular culture and public figures.
