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New Delhi, April 19, 2025 — The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court against ride-hailing giant Uber, alleging trademark infringement and brand mockery in a recent advertisement promoting Uber Moto.
The contentious advertisement, titled “Baddies in Bengaluru”, features Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) star batter Travis Head. According to RCB, the commercial uses a phrase that closely resembles or imitates a well-known tagline associated with the RCB brand, thereby allegedly misusing their trademark and diluting their brand identity.
In the petition, RCB asserts that the ad not only infringes upon their intellectual property but also mocks the team by casting a rival player in a context they believe undermines their brand image. The phrase in question — although not publicly disclosed in court documents yet — is said to mirror slogans historically used by RCB in their campaigns and fan engagements.
An RCB spokesperson stated:
“The use of a phrase uniquely tied to our team in a commercial context by an unrelated entity — especially with a player from a rival team — is a clear case of brand misuse. We’ve built our identity over years, and such misrepresentations can confuse fans and harm our reputation.”
Uber has yet to officially respond to the petition, but sources close to the company suggest the ad was meant to be light-hearted and not intended to target or parody RCB. The company is expected to present its defense in the upcoming hearing scheduled later this month.
Legal experts believe this case could set an important precedent in how brands associated with sporting franchises are protected under Indian intellectual property law, especially in the age of influencer marketing and sports endorsements.
Meanwhile, the ad continues to be streamed across digital platforms, sparking mixed reactions among fans — with some seeing it as a playful jab, while others argue it crosses the line into disrespect.
The Delhi High Court has accepted the petition and issued a notice to Uber, seeking their response. The matter is likely to come up for preliminary hearing in the coming days.
