Trademark turmoil grips India’s startup scene as edtech pioneer Anthropic Software beseeches authorities against US AI contender Anthropic’s alleged poaching of their name. Founder Mohammad Ayyaz Mulla warns of existential threats from the ensuing brand chaos.
Pioneering rural education tech since 2017, Mulla’s firm notched registrations with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Startup India, and Karnataka’s initiative. Milestones include government-funded patents (2018), orders (2021), and a client base exceeding 500 schools with robust apps.
The skirmish began August 25 via a proxy legal notice insisting on name abandonment. Citing ironclad paperwork, the Indians parleyed for a month before the US side retreated—resurfacing with India ambitions, a new MD hire, and a fresh Bengaluru office launch.
Coinciding with Anthropic CEO’s India AI summit fanfare, Belagavi court escalated: A no-show on February 16 prompted Judge Manjunath Naik’s renewed summons. At stake is an injunction halting the foreigners’ ‘Anthropic’ deployment to avert affiliation illusions.
Damages are stark. ‘Searches redirect our audience; economic hits are severe,’ Mulla revealed. March 9 brings the sequel.
Framing it as a litmus test for startup advocacy, Mulla trusts courts and government alike. ‘Protect rights to propel the ecosystem,’ he implored. This saga illuminates IP vulnerabilities as foreign tech floods India’s vibrant markets.