BCCI turns down offer by Champak magazine to settle trademark case over IPL robotic dog

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the Delhi High Court on Wednesday that it was not willing to enter into mediation with Delhi Press Patra Prakashan, the publisher of the children’s magazine Champak, over the use of the name 'Champak' for a robotic dog featured during the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The case came up before Justice Saurabh Banerjee who proceeded to list the case for further consideration in September.

During the course of the hearing, advocate Amit Gupta, representing Delhi Press, told the Court that they were willing to settle the dispute since the IPL season was over.

"If they tell us that they won't use 'Champak' in the upcoming season, we will not pursue this case further," Gupta submitted.

He further told the court that they were open to mediation.

However, advocate Tanmay Mehta, who appeared for BCCI, told the Court that they cannot give such an undertaking as many commercial considerations go into using 'Champak'.

He further contended that the purpose of the suit was to settle the matter with BCCI for money considering they were the bigger organisation. Mehta argued that he will make out a case against Delhi Press.

The Court thus proceeded to direct the parties to complete the pleadings and listed the case for hearing.

In April 2025, Delhi Press argued that Champak is a well-known children’s magazine and naming the IPL’s robotic dog “Champak” infringes its trademark.

“The product was introduced earlier but named Champak only on April 23, purportedly via fan voting,” the counsel submitted, adding the use was unauthorised and widely reported in the media.

The Court asked how the use of “Champak” amounted to commercial exploitation or unfair advantage. Gupta responded that the mark is registered and its unauthorised use causes dilution. The Court noted that no such allegation was made in the pleadings. Gupta then argued that the IPL’s marketing of the robotic dog showed commercial use.

When the Court pointed out that no action was taken against Virat Kohli for using 'Chiku', Gupta clarified that Kohli hadn't launched a product—unlike the IPL, which was using “Champak” commercially in violation of the registered trademark.

Advocate Kanu Agrawal appeared for BCCI along with Mehta.