Indigo Sues Mahindra For 6E Trademark Infringement – Mahindra Says, “Chill Buddy”

IndiGo has filed a trademark infringement suit in the Delhi High Court against Mahindra Electric Automobile Limited (MEAL) for using the ‘6E’ logo on Mahindra’s BE 6e electric SUV.

In a statement, the airline said that the unauthorized use of the “6E” logo, even by itself, in any form, is a violation of the company’s rights, reputation and goodwill. The airline also boasts a well-registered brand and is widely recognized around the world.

IndiGo said it “owns” the trademarks in “a variety of activities” including advertising and transportation. IndiGo also uses the nomenclature ‘6E’ to denote its various passenger-oriented services such as 6E Prime and 6E Flex. The case came up before Justice Amit Bansal on Tuesday, but has been adjourned to December 9.

In response, Mahindra filed a statement saying that it has applied for trademark registration of the name ‘BE 6e’ under Class 12 (Vehicles) as part of its portfolio of pure electric SUVs. The Trademark Registrar had granted Mahindra Electric’s application for registration of “BE 6e” on November 25. Mahindra also filed a clarification in the matter saying that its mark “BE 6e” is distinct from Indigo’s exclusive trademark “6E” and therefore is not considered a conflict as there is no conflict of interest. The company has maintained that its trademark is not in dispute as it is a mark for electric vehicles and not for airline services. “The unique look enhances its uniqueness,” it said.

Under the Indian Trademark Act, protection is limited to the class in which the mark is registered. This means that a registered trademark for an airline service does not automatically prevent its use on board if the mark becomes a “well-known mark” or is confusing to consumers.

The case has drawn significant attention from the aviation and automotive industries and highlights the complexity of trademark protection across industries. While IndiGo is committed to protecting its intellectual property rights, discussions between the parties suggest that an out-of-court settlement may be possible before the next hearing. Mahindra acknowledges IndiGo’s concerns about the breach of goodwill and said that discussions are ongoing between the two companies to reach an amicable resolution.