Royal Challengers Bengaluru. (Photo Source: RCB)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) moved the Delhi High Court on Thursday, April 17, over a YouTube advertisement, alleging it disparaged their trademark.
The court, after hearing submissions of the parties on RCB's interim plea for injunction, decided to reserved its order. Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited filed a suit against Uber India Systems Pvt. Ltd., claiming that Uber Moto’s YouTube advertisement titled “Baddies in Bengaluru ft. Travis Head” disparaged its trademark.
RCB counsel said in the ad that the cricketer could be seen running towards Bengaluru cricket stadium to vandalise the signage of ‘Bengaluru Vs Hyderabad’, spray painting the words ‘Royally Challenged’ above the word ‘Bengaluru’ on the board.
The counsel argued that making a negative comment constituted disparagement. He further mentioned that Uber Moto, as the commercial sponsor of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), used RCB’s trademark—specifically a “deceptive variant” of it—while promoting its ride-booking service.
Uber’s counsel argued that RCB had “severely discounted” the public’s sense of humour. He explained that the overall message of the advertisement was simply that a match between RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad was scheduled at the Bengaluru cricket stadium on May 13, and given the city’s infamous traffic, the public was exhorted to use Uber Moto.
Uber’s counsel argued that humour, playfulness, and light-hearted banter are essential elements of advertising, and warned that embracing the level proposed by RCB would effectively “kill” these imaginative angles.
How are RCB and SRH faring in IPL 2025?RCB have had an excellent start in IPL 2025, winning four out of their first six matches. They are set to take on Punjab Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday, April 18. If Rajat Patidar and Co. can win the match by a decent margin, they will move to the top of the points table.
Meanwhile, SRH are struggling at No. 9 in the standings. They have only two wins and five defeats after playing seven matches. Sunrisers will return to action on Wednesday, April 23, as they lock horns with Mumbai Indians at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
