Karnataka High Court Rules Boman Irani Is Owner Of Yezdi Trademark

Yezdi

The Karnataka High Court’s Division Bench has ruled in favour of Boman Irani, Co-Founder of Classic Legends, confirming his rights over the trademark ‘Yezdi’.

The ruling overturns a previous Single Judge order and marks a victory for Classic Legends, makers of Yezdi, Jawa and BSA motorcycles, and a Mahindra Group company.

The Court observed that the registrations for the brand ‘Yezdi’ obtained by Irani are valid and comply with the Trade Marks Act. The ruling confirmed that Ideal Jawa’s prolonged non-use and failure to renew trademark registrations amounted to abandonment. Ideal Jawa had stopped production in 1996 and was liquidated in 2001, failing to renew the trademark registrations for over 15 years.

In contrast, the Court noted that Irani worked on reviving the brand and lawfully acquired the requisite trademark registrations in 2013-14. He co-founded Classic Legends in 2015 with Anupam Thareja and the Mahindra Group.

Boman Irani, Co-Founder of Classic Legends and Chairman and MD of Rustomjee Group, said, “The verdict feels much more momentous than a fateful personal victory for my family’s legacy. It reaffirms that the perseverance in keeping heritage brands alive never goes unrewarded. The honourable court and judges have supported our efforts to renew Yezdi through innovation and lawful means. I know my father would have wanted me to blaze a trail with brand Yezdi, which has been a part of me since my childhood, and I thank the Indian judicial system for recognising our efforts in carrying forward the legacy for future generations.”

Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group, said, “The honourable Karnataka High Court judges have brought their astute understanding to a case which will redefine India’s IPR legal disputes. It will discourage unwarranted and unfair hurdles to trademark ownership. The verdict proves that sincere efforts to keep alive legacy brands are worth pursuing and vindicates the winning spirit that Boman and Anupam bring to Classic Legends’ mission of reviving Yezdi.”

Anupam Thareja, Co-Founder, Classic Legends, said, “We have honoured Yezdi’s true challenger spirit in reviving the storied brand. We had complete faith in the Indian judicial system, and our trust stands vindicated as the honourable judges have affirmed our rightful ownership of brand Yezdi. We will continue with the same spirit and ensure Yezdi roars back into the hearts of India's modern motorcycling community."

The Court dismissed all pending applications, set aside the earlier order, and allowed all appeals by Irani and Classic Legends.

The judgement highlights the need for active stewardship in preserving brand heritage. The Court observed the following points:

  • Ideal Jawa had stopped using the Yezdi mark in 1996, allowed registrations to lapse, and took no steps to protect it; the mark had no surviving goodwill.
  • Common-law rights for trademarks exist only through their continued use.
  • Both Ideal Jawa and the Official Liquidator (OL) were inactive in using or renewing the trademark.
  • The OL cannot claim ignorance of the trademark’s existence when Yezdi was Ideal Jawa’s sole business.
  • With no business for 30 years, no renewal, no use, no protection, and the trademark not even mentioned in asset sales, goodwill was extinguished.
  • The dues owed to Ideal Jawa in liquidation have no connection to the value of its trademark. The OL cannot equate alleged debts with trademark value.
  • Trademarks are intangible rights dependent on use and renewal. Unlike physical property, they do not inherently persist.

India Yamaha Motor Reintroduces MotoGP Editions, Updates FZ Colour Options

Yamaha India - MotoGP

India Yamaha Motor has announced the return of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition for the R15 V4 and MT-15 Version 2.0 motorcycle models. The release, the company says, responds to customer demand for the company's racing-livery options.

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition models display liveries inspired by Yamaha's racing division across the fuel tank, side panels, and tank shrouds. The R15 V4 MotoGP Edition is priced starting at INR 176,050 ex-showroom Delhi, while the MT-15 MotoGP Edition begins at INR 177,230.

Alongside the special editions, Yamaha updated colour variants across its FZ product range. The FZ-S Fi Hybrid receives an Ice Storm colour scheme, while the existing Matte Black version gets updated graphics. The FZ-S Fi line gains a Metallic Black finish.

Pricing for the updated FZ range starts at INR 129,880 ex-showroom Delhi for the standard FZ-S Fi, with the FZ-S Fi Hybrid variant priced at INR 139,200.

Studds Launches Raider Youth Full-Face Helmet At INR 1,175

Studds

Studds Accessories, one of the leading two-wheeler helmet manufacturer, has launched its latest product the Raider Youth, a full-face helmet designed for younger riders and adults requiring smaller head sizes at prices starting INR 1,175.

The release marks the introduction of a dedicated small-sized full-face model into the company's product line-up. The Raider Youth is an ISI-certified helmet that provides chin and lower-face coverage, moving beyond the open-face helmet designs that have traditionally dominated the youth and small-head-size segments in India. It is offered in two sizes: XXS (520 mm) and XS (540 mm), catering to children, teenagers and female riders or adults with smaller head dimensions.

The product features an outer shell constructed from ABS material paired with an expanded polystyrene (EPS) liner. The ventilation system uses top exhaust ports to channel airflow through the interior, while additional hardware includes a scratch-resistant quick-release visor, micro-fibre inner lining and a quick-release chin strap mechanism.

Sidhartha Bhushan Khurana, Managing Director, STUDDS Accessories, said, "Young riders today are more aware of style, comfort, and safety than ever before, and parents are increasingly seeking products that offer enhanced protection without compromising on usability. The Raider Youth has been developed to address these expectations through a purpose-built full-face design that delivers greater coverage and confidence for young riders. Its vibrant colour palette, modern styling, rider-focused comfort features, and trusted safety credentials have been brought together to make helmet usage both appealing and reassuring. We believe the Raider Youth will resonate strongly with young riders and their families while encouraging the habit of safe riding from an early age."

The initial launch comprises the Unicolor variant across 12 finish options, including solid, matte, and chameleon finishes: White, Black, Cherry Red, Flame Blue, Lavender Pink, Pastel Green, Petrol Blue, Dark Pink, Chameleon Pink, Chameleon Blue, Matt Black, and Military Green.

Anuj Dua

Hero MotoCorp, the world’s two-wheeler manufacturer, has appointed Anuj Dua as the new Chief Business Officer – Premium Segment to oversee its motorcycle and scooter operations in higher-displacement categories.

Dua brings experience from previous executive roles across Hero MotoCorp, Royal Enfield and Bajaj Auto, where he managed global product strategy, brand development and market expansion.

In his new role, Dua will manage product portfolio expansion, strategic partnerships, retail network development and customer engagement initiatives, including community events and branded merchandise across performance and lifestyle segments.

In FY2026, Hero MotoCorp expanded its product line-up through the introduction of models including the Glamour X, Xtreme 125R, Xtreme 250R, Xoom 160, XPulse 210 and the Harley-Davidson X440 T. To support these offerings, the manufacturer expanded its dedicated Hero Premia retail and service network to more than 130 stores across India. The standalone outlets feature specialised sales personnel and dedicated service bays.

Dr. Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman of Hero MotoCorp, said, “The global mobility landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, led by rising consumer aspirations for premiumization including curated premium experiences. At Hero MotoCorp, we are responding to these transformative shifts with a future-focused strategy that combines innovation, design excellence, performance engineering and deeper customer engagement. Our expanding premium portfolio, retail transformation and motorsport initiatives are integral to this strategy, accelerating product innovation, strengthening brand aspiration, and reinforcing our position as a globally admired mobility brand which is proudly Made in India.”

At present, the company manufactures its premium range from its facility Neemrana, Rajasthan, which incorporates automated assembly lines and digital quality control systems. The vehicle platforms integrate electronic architecture supporting over-the-air software updates and rider assistance systems.

Additionally, the company utilises its Hero MotoSports division to evaluate chassis dynamics, electronic systems and powertrain durability for application across its commercial production models.

TVS Motor Company Sells 437,394 2Ws In July 2026

TVS Motor Co

Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company, part of TVS VENU, has announced its wholesale figures for July 2026 selling 629,675 units. This marks a 38 percent increase compared to 456,350 units sold in July 2025.

The company reported its two-wheeler sales rose 38 percent to 603,138 units in July 2026, up from 438,790 units last year. Of this, domestic two-wheeler dispatches accounted for 437,394 units of the total, representing a 42 percent YoY increase, as compared to 308,720 units recorded a year ago.

In the electric vehicle segment, two-wheeler EV sales reached 60,934 units in July 2026, compared to 23,605 units in July 2025, marking a 158 percent growth rate.

International business dispatches across all categories grew 29 percent to 184,264 units in July 2026, compared with 142,629 units in the same period last year. Within the international segment, two-wheeler exports increased 27 percent to 165,744 units from 130,070 units recorded in July 2025.

Three-wheeler dispatches totalled 26,537 units during the month, up 51 percent from 17,560 units sold in the corresponding period of the previous year.