The Delhi High Court has dismissed a plea filed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Uber India Systems Pvt. Ltd, ruling that the bike-taxi advertisement in question must be viewed in the spirit of sportsmanship.
RCB’s Allegations
RCB had sought an interim injunction against Uber’s “Baddies in Bengaluru” ad, featuring Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) cricketer Travis Head. The franchise alleged that the ad distorted their popular slogan “Ee Sala Cup Namde” and misused their trademark.
The advertisement, which has garnered over 2 million views, depicts a fictional character spray-painting “Royal Challengers Bangalore” in a stadium logistics room, which RCB claimed was a mocking reference.
Court’s Ruling
Justice Saurabh Banerjee rejected RCB’s plea, stating that the ad is in the context of a game of cricket and must be viewed as part of sportsmanship. The court further noted that interfering at this stage would be unnecessary and dismissed the application without imposing costs.
Uber’s Defense
Uber argued that RCB had “severely underestimated the Indian public’s sense of humor”, stating that the ad was a lighthearted promotional campaign to highlight Uber Moto’s bike-taxi service in Bengaluru’s traffic.
The ruling ensures that Uber’s advertisement will continue to run, while RCB’s legal team considers its next steps.
