Karnataka HC restrains Classic Legends from using Yezdi name

Until the liquidation process of Ideal Jawa India is officially completed and due labour payments and liabilities are cleared, the Yezdi trademark cannot be used by anyone else. 

-  Chandan B Mallik

With great fanfare Mahindra-backed Classic Legends W had officially announced the revival of the Yezdi motorcycle brand on January 13, 2022. Following the announcement, the company launched three retro-themed motorcycles in India.

However, the journey has been abruptly jolted due to a legal issue that relates to the usage of the brand name. The Karnataka HC has ruled that the 'Yezdi' brand belongs to the defunct Ideal Jawa India (which is currently under liquidation) and hence cannot be used on Classic Legends' motorcycles as it falls under the purview of the Liquidator's office.

While Ideal Jawa India went defunct in 1996, the Yezdi trademark became a part of the domain of the Liquidator's office, along with all other assets of the company. The court ruled that the ownership of the brand Yezdi name lied solely with the Liquidator' office and cannot be used by anyone until all pending dues of the Ideal Jawa India have been cleared.

Among the liabilities is that of Ideal Jawa Employees Association which claims that their dues haven't yet been settled and hence the funds raised from the sale of all assets of the Ideal Jawa should be used to settle all pending dues.