IndiGo Takes Legal Action Against Mahindra for «6E» Trademark Infringement in BE 6e EV

IndiGo, the largest airline in India, filed a lawsuit against Mahindra Electric Automobile Limited (one of the leading car manufacturers in the country) for using «6E» in the name of its new electric vehicle model, BE 6e. According to the Hindustan Times, the airline argues that «6E» is not only its official designator but also a key element of its brand and services.

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IndiGo uses «6E» to identify a range of services associated with its brand, such as 6E Prime, which includes seat selection, priority check-in, and free snacks, and 6E Flex, which offers flexibility in rescheduling and canceling flights. Additionally, the airline offers add-ons under the name 6E add-ons, allowing passengers to customize their experience with options such as extra baggage, pre-selected meals, and access to VIP lounges.

Legal Details and Trademark Registrations

The case was filed on Tuesday, December 4, and will be reviewed in a hearing scheduled for December 9. However, Judge Amit Bansal decided to recuse himself from the case, according to the Indian media. Meanwhile, Mahindra has contacted IndiGo to discuss the dispute, according to statements from the airline’s lead lawyer, Sandeep Sethi, cited by the Hindustan Times.

IndiGo registered the trademark «6E Link» in 2015 under classes 9, 35, 39, and 16, which allows it to use it in advertising and transportation services. On the other hand, Mahindra registered «BE 6e» on November 25 of this year under class 12, which authorizes its use on a wide variety of vehicles, excluding motorcycles and mopeds.

Launch of the BE 6e

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The Mahindra BE 6e, designed as a compact SUV with a coupe-like sporty profile, is expected to hit the market in February 2025. According to the Hindustan Times, the model will have an initial price of 18.90 lakh (about 22,800 USD at the current exchange rate) and will compete with vehicles like the Tata Curvv EV, MG ZS EV, and the upcoming Hyundai Creta EV.