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December 8, 2024
Sharleen Dsouza, Business Standard
Mumbai, 8 Dec 2024
The legal battle between Mahindra Electric Automobile and IndiGo Aviation over ‘6e’ continues in court, and brand experts believe the case is unlikely to stand up in law. However, Mahindra is receiving free publicity from this trademark infringement fight.
As the case progresses in the Delhi High Court (HC), Mahindra issued a statement on Saturday, saying, “We are hence taking the decision to brand our product BE 6.”
However, brand experts argue that since both companies operate in different sectors, there should not be any legal issues.
“Ideally, there shouldn’t be confusion, as they don’t operate in the same segment unless IndiGo plans to enter the car market, and vice versa. Everyone is being cautious about their brand,” said N Chandramouli, chief executive officer (CEO) of TRA Research.
He added that while everyone is being cautious about their brand, the use of ‘6e’ by Mahindra is not necessarily against the law. “It depends on what the court decides, and Mahindra Electric Automobile can prove in court that it will not harm its brand name.”
Devangshu Dutta, CEO of Third Eyesight, also said that there are several instances where brands and trademarks overlap. “From a marketing perspective, Mahindra Electric Automobile is getting free publicity from this fight. IndiGo’s position in this argument will depend on whether it has registered ‘6e’ as a trademark.”
Sandeep Goyal, chairman of Rediffusion, believes this is an interesting case. He said, “I’m not sure if ‘6e’ as a combination is registrable. However, IndiGo may well have secured the intellectual property (IP), though the trademark may not extend to automobiles.” He further added, “I’m sure Mahindra must have done its homework before using 6e in its vehicle name — it’s too public to risk unless it was unfettered and cleared by their lawyers.”
In its statement released on Saturday, Mahindra also said it has applied for trademark registration under Class 12 (vehicles) for ‘BE 6e’ as part of its electric sport utility vehicle portfolio. “The mark ‘BE’ is already registered with Mahindra in Class 12, and it stands for our Born Electric platform underpinning the BE 6e.”
“We believe it differs fundamentally from IndiGo’s ‘6e’, which represents an airline, eliminating any risk of confusion,” it added.
The statement also noted that, in the past, Tata Motors had objected to InterGlobe Enterprises using the IndiGo mark due to the Tata Indigo car brand. InterGlobe continues to use the IndiGo mark in a different industry. “We, therefore, find their objection to BE 6e inconsistent with its own previous conduct,” the statement said.
Last week, IndiGo released a statement saying that the ‘6e’ mark has been an integral part of IndiGo’s identity for the past 18 years and is a registered trademark with strong global recognition. “The ‘6e’ mark, whether standalone or in its variants and formative forms, is extensively used by IndiGo for its offerings and goods and services provided in collaboration with trusted partners.”
It added that any unauthorised use of the ‘6e’ mark, whether standalone or in any form, constitutes an infringement of IndiGo’s rights, reputation, and goodwill. “IndiGo is committed to taking all necessary and appropriate steps to safeguard its IP and brand identity,” the statement said.
The case will be heard in the Delhi HC on Monday.
(Published in Business Standard)
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November 20, 2023
Christina Moniz, Financial Express
November 20, 2023
he country’s largest airline IndiGo just announced the launch of a premium luggage range in collaboration with actor Deepika Padukone-backed lifestyle brand Mokobara. The new luggage collection, Moko 6E, offers a check-in bag and a cabin bag in the signature IndiGo blue.
IndiGo has sweetened the deal for its passengers, offering customers an extra 2 kilos of baggage allowance for one year after purchase at no additional cost. With a starting price of Rs 9,999 and a six-year warranty, IndiGo says it is looking to reach more discerning consumers who travel for business or leisure.
The airline already enjoys a substantial share of over 60% in India’s domestic civil aviation sector as per DGCA data. So why is it making its way into the Rs 50,000-crore luggage market in the country? According to an IndiGo spokesperson, the aim is to leverage the carrier’s strong brand presence to target modern Indian jet setters and create a seamless travel experience.
Vejay Anand, CEO, Ironhill India, points out that balancing creating a new identity for the luggage line while leveraging the well-established airline image without diluting its core values will be a delicate task. “This venture was more than a market expansion; it was about intertwining their brand heritage with travellers’ lives, ensuring passengers carry the airline’s reliability beyond flights,” he remarks.
Navigating the market
Although the luggage market is huge in the country, industry reports estimate that the organised and branded segment is around 40% with players like VIP Industries and Samsonite taking up the lion’s share. Devangshu Dutta, CEO of Third Eyesight notes that rather than the potential quantum of business, it is more relevant to see a brand collaboration such as this as helping both companies create a buzz in the market. He observes that there is some degree of resonance in the design philosophies of both brands, pitched largely to millennial consumers.
Ambika Sharma, founder & MD of creative digital agency Pulp Strategy, observes that the carrier’s decision to enter the luggage segment could offer several advantages for IndiGo the brand. “Expanding into luggage provides IndiGo an opportunity to showcase its brand beyond the airline industry, strengthening its overall brand image and positioning it as a lifestyle brand. Offering a branded luggage line can enhance customer loyalty and engagement by providing travellers with a convenient and consistent travel experience,” says Sharma.
She however adds that making a mark in a competitive market with established players will be a challenge for the company. She cautions, “Consumers may not immediately associate IndiGo as a luggage brand, requiring significant marketing efforts to establish brand recognition. Creating a unique selling proposition that distinguishes the Moko 6E luggage from competitors is crucial. Effectively managing logistics and supply chains is critical to ensure timely product delivery and customer satisfaction.”
That said, India is a predominantly price-sensitive market where prominent brands sell luggage for as low as Rs 1,999, the brand may eventually have to revisit its pricing strategy if it has to compete with established players. “By offering a range of pricing options, IndiGo could cater to a wider set of consumers, potentially appealing to different market segments. This would ensure a more comprehensive market penetration while retaining its premium positioning,” states brand expert Anand.
With this association, the collaborator brand, three-year-old Mokobora, a premium travel and lifestyle brand established as recently as 2020, could also get a leg-up in terms of both visibility and accessibility. Anand notes that the lifestyle brand will, through this collaboration, be able to reach out to an audience of about 3 lakh or more air travellers in the country every day.
As of October this year, IndiGo has over 2,000 scheduled daily flights which include cargo operations, as well as CAPF and Army charters, allowing Moko 6E to reach a significant number of travellers daily.
(Published in Financial Express)