RCB Drags Uber to Court Over Ad Featuring Travis Head

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are not just fighting battles on the cricket field this season – they have also taken the fight to court. RCB’s parent company, Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd, has filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court against Uber India, accusing the ride-hailing giant of mocking and infringing upon their brand through a recent advertisement.

The ad in question, titled "Baddies in Bengaluru ft. Travis Head", aired on YouTube earlier this month and features the Australian cricketer playing harmless pranks on rival teams. But RCB didn’t see the humour. In their petition, the franchise claimed the ad disparaged their identity, particularly objecting to the usage of their popular fan chant "Ee Saala Cup Namde” – a phrase they’ve trademarked and is synonymous with their brand. RCB's legal counsel, Shwetasree Majumder, argued that the ad was a deliberate attempt to poke fun at the franchise and dilute its unique identity. “This is a targeted attempt to mock and dilute the identity of Royal Challengers Bengaluru,” she told Justice Saurabh Banerjee, according to LiveLaw. But Uber wasn’t backing down. Their legal team fired back, claiming the ad falls under the realm of

fair use and commercial free speech. “If I am referring to RCB and that is the script of the ad, then I am entitled to refer to them so long as I do it without disparaging them or encashing on their reputation,” said Uber’s counsel. They also made it clear that there was no direct mention or usage of the registered trademark “Royal Challengers Bengaluru” in the ad. 

Uber’s side further argued that the phrase "Bengaluru vs Hyderabad" was a generic reference, and any similarity to IPL teams was coincidental. They also pointed out that the joke was rooted in the city’s notorious traffic, not the cricket team. “RCB should combat humor with humor, not with a lawsuit,” added Uber’s representative 

Justice Banerjee, after hearing both sides, decided to reserve the verdict. He remarked, “The moment you ask a person, a layman or a court to see the ad and decipher, I can form or have an opinion which is different than yours. There lies the issue of injunction.” With no immediate restraining order in place, Uber’s ad remains live, for now. Justice Banerjee concluded by saying, “I am reserving order. I will pass the order and will dispose of the application.” 

Interestingly, the courtroom drama adds an extra layer of spice ahead of the 13th May clash between RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad – Travis Head’s team – at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Don’t be surprised if that encounter carries a little extra edge, both on and off the field. 

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