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.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bajaj Auto, one of the leading two-wheeler and three-wheeler manufacturers, has updated its popular Pulsar 150 motorcycle range. The updates include the introduction of LED headlamps and LED blinkers to the model, which the company states is intended to improve visibility and usability while maintaining the vehicle's design identity.

The updated range is available at the following ex-showroom Delhi prices – Pulsar 150 SD at INR 108,772, Pulsar 150 SD UG at INR 111,669 and Pulsar 150 TD UG at INR 115,481.

The motorcycle retains its frame and stance, though Bajaj has introduced new colour options and graphics. The Pulsar 150 continues to utilise DTS-i (Digital Twin Spark-ignition) technology, which uses two spark plugs to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, intended to improve combustion efficiency and power output.

The update focuses on integrating modern lighting components into the existing platform, which originally established the sports motorcycling segment in India.

Sarang Kanade, President, Motorcycle Business Unit, Bajaj Auto, said, “The Pulsar 150 has defined performance motorcycling for generations. With this update, we have preserved its classic character while thoughtfully adding modern LED lighting, ensuring the Pulsar 150 remains relevant, recognisable and Definitely Daring.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), the subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, held a mileage contest for the Suzuki Access scooter in Palwal. The event involved 35 participants, including current owners and prospective buyers, to test the fuel efficiency of the scooter under city driving conditions.

The initiative is part of the brand’s ‘Pickup Bhi, Mileage Bhi’ strategy, which focuses on balancing engine performance with fuel economy and build quality.

The event was organised in partnership with RV Suzuki in Palwal. The participants, all of whom had purchased their scooters within the last year, followed a specific testing protocol: a designated 20-kilometre circuit on city roads, scooters were operated on a full tank, then refilled at the end of the journey to calculate the exact fuel consumed.  Potential customers were provided with test rides and the opportunity to interview existing owners regarding reliability and comfort.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “The Suzuki Access Mileage Contest places a strong focus on fuel efficiency, bringing our brand promise of ‘Pickup Bhi, Mileage Bhi, Shandar Quality Ke Sath’ to life. By riding on city roads, participants experience the scooter’s real-world mileage. Along with mileage, customers also get to experience the quality and reliability that have made the Access a trusted choice of over 6 million customers. We appreciate the participation from customers in Palwal. We will continue to extend such on-ground initiatives to more cities across India, allowing customers to connect closely with out two-wheelers and witness their performance firsthand.”

The company intends to expand these on-ground initiatives to additional cities across India to demonstrate the performance of its two-wheeler portfolio in local environments.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ola Electric has expanded its Hyperservice initiative by launching dedicated centres that offer a same-day service guarantee for eligible customers at no extra cost. The company will upgrade its existing service infrastructure into Hyperservice Centres, beginning with a facility in Indiranagar, Bengaluru.

The expansion is intended to reduce service lead times and increase transparency through a digital workflow.

The Hyperservice Centres include several facilities for customers and technical upgrades for vehicle maintenance. The waiting area includes a lounge and Wi-Fi connectivity for customers. Real-time visibility of the servicing stages is provided via the Ola Electric app. Going forward, the company plans to upgrade selected centres across India in the coming weeks.

Ola Electric has also transitioned Hyperservice into an open platform. This move makes the company’s spare parts, diagnostic tools, and training modules available to independent garages, mechanics, and fleet operators.

Under this model, parts can be purchased directly through the Ola Electric app or website. This is intended to allow garages and customers to access components without the use of intermediaries.

“As part of the ongoing service upgrade we are reimagining many of the fundamental aspects of the service experience. We see it as a core part of Ola ownership, and it needs the same level of innovation as the product itself. With Hyperservice Centres, we are setting a new benchmark – same-day service guarantee. At no extra cost for any customer. This is about using technology, process redesign and scale to remove friction and give every Ola customer a faster, simpler and more transparent service experience,” said the company in a statement.

The company has rolled out an in-app service appointment feature nationwide. The tool allows users to select service slots, track the status of their vehicle, and manage maintenance requirements within the unified platform to replace traditional booking methods.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

India Yamaha Motor, one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers in the country, has announced the appointment of Hajime Aota as the Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group, effective from 1 January 2026. He is set to succeed Itaru Otani, who held the position since November 2024.

The appointment comes as Yamaha continues its focus on the premium segment and digital integration within the Indian two-wheeler market.

Aota joins the Indian operations with experience in corporate strategy, planning and venture business development. He has held leadership roles in Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Prior to this role, Aota served as Executive Officer at Yamaha Motor Co, and Chief General Manager of the Corporate Strategy Centre at the global headquarters in Japan. In these positions, he managed corporate strategy, sustainability and digital transformation.

He has also worked as Chairperson of Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley (YMVSV) overseeing investments in robotics, transportation, fintech and health technologies. He has also contributed towards Yamaha Motor Group’s long-term growth strategy.

Aota is a graduate of Keio University and holds a qualification from the Program for Leadership Development at Harvard Business School.

Hajime Aota, said, “I am very excited to begin my journey in India, one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse two-wheeler markets. The rapidly evolving aspirations of Indian consumers, especially the youth, align strongly with Yamaha’s focus on premium products, innovation, and a customer-centric approach. Leading Yamaha in India is a significant responsibility, and my focus is on strengthening the brand by delivering products that seamlessly combine Yamaha’s global engineering excellence with the evolving needs of Indian riders. I look forward to working closely with our teams and partners to drive sustainable growth and reinforce Yamaha’s presence in this important market.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!