BCCI Faces Legal Challenge Over IPL 2025 Robot Dog Name
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is facing a legal dispute over its decision to name an AI-powered robotic dog “Champak” for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Delhi Press Patra Prakashan Pvt Ltd, the publisher of the well-known children’s magazine Champak, has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against the BCCI in the Delhi High Court, alleging unauthorized use of the magazine’s registered trademark.
The robotic dog, introduced as a novel feature during the ongoing IPL 2025 season, was developed in collaboration with Noida-based wTVision and Omnicam. Named through a fan poll, the AI tool has gained attention for its role in enhancing the IPL broadcast experience. However, Champak magazine argues that the BCCI’s use of the name infringes on its established brand identity, accusing the cricket board of exploiting the trademark for commercial gain.
During the court proceedings, advocate Amit Gupta, representing Delhi Press Patra Prakashan, emphasized that the magazine’s trademark is a recognized and protected mark. He argued that the BCCI’s use of “Champak” for the robotic dog constitutes a clear violation of intellectual property rights. In response, the BCCI’s counsel, Senior Advocate J Sai Deepak, contended that “Champak” is a common term, referring to a type of flower, and not an invented word exclusive to the magazine. Deepak further noted that some media reports have linked the robotic dog’s name to a character from the popular TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, rather than the magazine.
Justice Saurabh Banerjee, presiding over the case, remarked that Champak has long been an established brand name. The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the BCCI, directing the board to submit a written response within four weeks. The court also highlighted that Champak magazine’s legal filing lacks specific references to Section 29(4) of the Trademarks Act, which addresses trademark infringement in cases where a mark is used for unrelated goods or services.
The lawsuit has sparked discussions, with some pointing out that another Champak magazine character, “Chiku,” is also the nickname of cricketer Virat Kohli, though no legal action has been taken in that instance. As the IPL 2025 season continues, the legal battle over the robotic dog’s name adds an unexpected twist to the tournament’s narrative.