The injunction will remain until the trademark case is fully resolved.
The Delhi High Court has temporarily stopped Tesla Power India from running any ads for electric-vehicle–related products using the “Tesla” name. This order will stay in place until the court decides on a trademark case filed by Tesla, Inc. The ruling prevents the Gurugram-based company from using the Tesla name to promote or sell items such as vehicle batteries, automotive UPS units, inverters, solar-hybrid VRLA batteries, sealed maintenance-free batteries and lithium-ion batterieswhether online, on e-commerce sites or anywhere else.
The decision comes after both companies failed to reach a settlement through mediation. Tesla Inc had earlier argued that the Indian company’s use of the “Tesla” brand confuses customers, making many believe the two firms are connected. The US automaker even said that some buyers of Tesla Power’s batteries mistakenly reached out to Tesla Inc with complaints.
Tesla Power India, however, has said that it mainly sells lead-acid batteries for cars, UPS systems and inverters, and does not build electric vehicles. It explained that any earlier ads linking its brand to EVs were part of a marketing tie-up with another company, e-Ashwa, and that it has no intention of launching an EV under the “Tesla” name.
But Tesla Inc told the court that Tesla Power had gone against an earlier promise by still selling electric scooters through dealers under different sub-brands. The court then asked Tesla Power to submit an affidavit giving details of scooter sales and leftover stock.
With these concerns and the failed mediation, the court has now issued an interim order: Tesla Power India cannot run advertisements for EV-related batteries or power products using the “Tesla” brand until the case is fully settled.
