Belagavi Court Issues Second Legal Notice to Anthropic PBC in Brand Identity Dispute
The Principal District and Commercial Court in Belagavi has escalated legal proceedings against San Francisco-based artificial intelligence company Anthropic PBC by issuing a second formal notice demanding its appearance on March 9. This development follows the company's representatives failing to appear in court for a significant name and brand dispute case that has captured attention in India's technology sector.
Escalating Legal Proceedings
This marks the second time the court has formally summoned the AI company. Last month, the court issued initial summons to Anthropic PBC's headquarters in the United States, directing the organization to appear before the bench on February 16. At that time, the California-based firm had not completed its registration in India and maintained no physical office presence within the country.
The legal landscape shifted significantly when Anthropic PBC recently completed its official India registration through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and established a corporate office in Bengaluru. This development prompted the court to issue fresh summons specifically targeting the company's newly formed Indian entity.
Court Directs Service to Indian Leadership
Judge Manjunath Nayak has issued specific instructions regarding the service of legal documents. The court ordered that the suit summons must be formally served to Irina Ghose, who serves as the Managing Director of Anthropic India Private Limited. The documents are to be delivered to the company's registered office located in the Domlur area of Bengaluru North.
Background of the Dispute
The case originates from a complaint filed by Belagavi-based Anthropic Software Private Limited, a technology firm that was officially registered in India back in 2017. The plaintiff company claims to have operated within the information technology sector for more than seven years and asserts prior rights over the 'Anthropic' brand name within the Indian market.
Mohammad Ayyaz Mulla, Managing Director of the Belagavi-based software company, explained their legal position to media representatives: "We are praying the court to grant an ex parte injunction to stop all services of the US-based company in India under the brand name 'Anthropic', on which we have prior proprietary rights."
Mulla further emphasized their determination: "Our efforts will continue on the next date to obtain the injunction if the defendants fail to appear."
Substantial Business Impact Alleged
The Belagavi firm has detailed significant business challenges allegedly resulting from the similarity in corporate names. According to their claims, these difficulties include:
- Loss of valuable business opportunities and potential contracts
- Challenges in raising investment capital from potential investors
- Online content infringement and digital identity confusion
- Diversion of online traffic intended for their platform
The company specializes in artificial intelligence-integrated educational products and holds patents in several technological areas including driving safety solutions and WiFi monetization systems designed to provide affordable or free internet access to the public.
Legal Foundation of the Case
The lawsuit reportedly relies on the established common law doctrine of 'passing off,' a legal principle where courts have consistently held that prior and continuous use of a business name can prevail over later adoption by another entity. This principle becomes particularly significant when both organizations operate within similar business domains or industries, as appears to be the case with both Anthropic entities operating in technology and artificial intelligence sectors.
The California-based Anthropic PBC was incorporated in 2021, approximately four years after the Belagavi firm's registration in India. This timeline forms a crucial element in the plaintiff's argument regarding prior rights and established brand presence within the Indian market.
