Karnataka High Court Rules in Favour of Boman Irani in YEZDI Trademark Dispute

The Karnataka High Court's Division Bench has ruled in favour of Boman Irani, co-founder of Classic Legends, affirming his ownership of the YEZDI motorcycle trademark. The judgment, delivered on 27 November 2025, overturns an earlier Single Judge ruling and marks a significant development in India's intellectual property rights landscape.

The court observed that Ideal Jawa, the previous manufacturer, had abandoned the trademark after ceasing production in 1996 and entering liquidation in 2001. The company failed to renew trademark registrations and made no efforts to protect the brand for over 15 years, leading the court to conclude that any associated goodwill had been extinguished.

In contrast, the court noted that Irani proactively worked to revive the brand and lawfully acquired trademark registrations in 2013-14. He subsequently partnered with Anupam Thareja and the Mahindra Group to establish Classic Legends in 2015, with the objective of reviving India's heritage motorcycle brands.

The YEZDI brand has historical significance for Irani's family. Following the cessation of Jawa's original licensing agreement with Ideal Jawa in 1969, Irani's father created the YEZDI insignia, establishing what became one of India's original motorcycle brands. The name derives from the Persian word for wind.

The judgment emphasized several key principles regarding trademark law. The court stated that common-law rights for trademarks exist only through continued use, and that trademarks, as intangible rights, depend on active use and renewal rather than persisting like physical property. The court also determined that debts owed to a company in liquidation cannot be equated with trademark value.

Classic Legends, now a Mahindra Group company, manufactures motorcycles under the YEZDI, Jawa, and BSA brands. The court dismissed all pending applications and allowed all appeals filed by Irani and Classic Legends.

Following the verdict, Irani stated the ruling reaffirms that efforts to preserve heritage brands through lawful means are recognized by the judicial system. Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group, described the judgment as one that will influence future intellectual property disputes in India, while co-founder Anupam Thareja expressed confidence in the Indian judicial system.

The decision sets a precedent for disputes involving legacy brands and underscores the requirement for active stewardship in maintaining trademark rights.