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India's IndiGo takes legal action against Mahindra in battle over usage of '6E' branding

IndiGo, India's most significant airline, has sued car manufacturer Mahindra and Mahindra for hallmark violation over its use of 6E in branding its newest electric lorry, legal documents reveal.

Mahindra in a stock market filing, rejected any wrongdoing, saying its just recently launched electrical lorries BE 6e and XEV 9e had the essential trade mark registration and there was no conflict with the standalone '6E' branding used by IndiGo.

IndiGo, which has a 60% share of India's domestic air travel sector, has used 6E as its call sign and across all its branding for several years, including its co-branded credit cards, benefits program and in-flight publication.

In its 48-page claim filing, which is not public however was examined , IndiGo argues that Mahindra had deliberately tried to associate themselves with the air travel market by claiming their car is shaped like a cockpit.

While trademark infringment cases prevail in India, legal disputes in between huge publicly-traded companies have actually been uncommon.

IndiGo's '6E' trade mark has been solely associated with its services for over 18 years and is now at threat of losing its diversity due to Mahindra's usage of 'BE 6e', the airline company stated in the court filing.

Mahindra in its stock exchange filing stated it is taken part in conversations with them (IndiGo) to find an amicable service. It has not commented on the contents of the suit.

IndiGo has sought an irreversible injunction through its filing in the Delhi High Court.

With its most current variety, Mahindra intends to take on competitors Tata Motors' Curvv and Hyundai's Creta in India's fast growing compact SUV variety. The sector has grown almost 20% in the very first 6 months of the current fiscal year.

India's EV market is small, making up about 2% of overall car sales of 4 million last year, but the federal government wants to increase EVs' share to 30% by 2030.

(source: Reuters)