IndiGo has filed a case against car maker Mahindra Electric Automobile Limited. IndiGo has alleged trademark infringement over the use of ‘6E’ in the company’s recently launched electric car, the Mahindra BE 6E.
The matter was presented before Justice Amit Bansal in the Delhi High Court today i.e. Tuesday (3 December 2024), but he recused himself. The case may be heard on 9 December.
Mahindra to IndiGo – there is no scope for dispute
Mahindra Electric said in an official statement, “We do not see any conflict in our branding as the company’s mark is ‘BE 6E’ and not a single ‘6E’. This is different from IndiGo’s ‘6E’ which represents an airline.
There is no scope for confusion. Also, the different styling of the two shows their difference. Mahindra is in discussion with IndiGo about finding an amicable solution.”
IndiGo operates under the call sign ‘6E’
IndiGo operates under the call sign ‘6E’, which forms the basis of its branding and passenger services. Under this, the airline offers products such as 6E Prime (seat selection, priority check-in and snacks), 6E Flex (flexible rescheduling and cancellation) and additional 6E-branded services.
This includes extra baggage options and lounge access. The airline registered ‘6E Link’ in several trademark categories in 2015. Under this, it can use 6E in services provided under Class-9, Class-16, Class-35 and Class-39.
Mahindra wants to trademark ‘BE 6E’
On November 25, Mahindra Electric applied with the trademark registrar to register the ‘BE 6E’ mark under Class 12. Once registered in Class-12, Mahindra will get the right to use the ‘6E’ designation for electric and combustion engine vehicles, except for two-wheelers.
Mahindra BE 6E, deliveries to begin from February 2025
Mahindra & Mahindra on November 26 launched two ‘born electric’ SUVs, XEV 9e and BE 6e in the Indian market. The company has built both electric SUVs under the banner of its sub-brands XEV and BE.
They are designed on Mahindra’s in-house INGLO platform, which is a modular skateboard architecture designed specifically for electric vehicles.
