Any industry has become highly competitive and the trend has made the big companies upset. Well, BookMyShow is upset that the small competitors are using names that are similar to take a ride on its popularity. The company has filed cases against almost six companies for the alleged misuse of its name in the past six months.
Bigtree Entertainment based in Mumbai represents a number of technology startups that approach the court against peers alleging copyright infringement. Historically, these disputes were seen in the consumer products sector, but now the same is rising in the country due to the startup surge.
Rahul Chaudhry, the Managing Partner of Lall Lahiri & Salhotra, a law firm based in Delhi stated that this is a shining sector in India that witnesses loads of money. He added that the brand recognition as well as valuation of the company has increased tremendously in this segment within a short time span. This has increased the brand recognition of the new companies that are cropping up with similar brands and trademarks to ensure that they take an easy ride on the popularity and success established by the bigger companies.
The owners of popular websites such as Naukri.com, Shaadi.com, and Groffr have approached the courts in order to protect their trademark as the startups employ similar names to lure the customers.
The Co-Founder of BookMyShow, Rajesh Balpande, stated that they are highly proactive in protecting the intellectual property rights of their brands. He added that they have initiated legal action in the Delhi High Court and other courts across the country against those companies and people who infringe or try to infringe their IP rights of their brand. Shaadi.com, the well-known matrimonial website has challenged SecondShaadi.com that is owned by Vivek Pahwa, the serial entrepreneur.
Also, Naukri.com has filed against Naukrinews.com. Sanjeev Bikchandani backed Info Edge India stated that the trademark issues are important for the entrepreneurs to understand how they should protect their brand.
