Background
Belagavi District Court in Karnataka issued a fresh summons to Anthropic PBC, the US-based AI firm behind the Claude language model, after the company failed to appear for a hearing in a trademark infringement suit. The suit, filed by a local entity claiming ownership of a similar mark, was originally listed as C.S. No. 1234/2024 and set for oral argument on 5 January 2024. Anthropic’s counsel did not respond or attend, prompting the judge to order a re-summons under the Civil Procedure Code to compel the defendant’s presence.
Bar and Bench, a leading Indian legal news site, first reported the move, noting that the Belagavi court’s action highlights growing tension between emerging AI startups and traditional trademark law in India. The plaintiff alleges that Anthropic’s use of “Claude” in its commercial material creates consumer confusion with its own product line, which carries an Indian trademark registered in 2019.
Proceedings
The fresh summons, dated 15 January 2024, was mailed to Anthropic’s registered address in San Francisco and also sent to its Indian liaison, Anthropic India Private Limited, based in Bengaluru. Under Section 20 of the Indian Civil Procedure Code, a default notice obliges the defendant to appear within ten days or face contempt proceedings. The notice references the missed hearing on 5 January, where the plaintiff presented evidence of alleged consumer deception and sales spikes on its website after the defendant’s launch.
Plaintiff lawyer Adv. Rohit Deshmukh of Mumbai’s Deshmukh & Associates argued before the judge that Anthropic’s non-appearance constitutes willful neglect, justifying an immediate punitive order. Deshmukh submitted screenshots of the defendant’s social-media posts and marketing material that prominently feature “Claude” alongside the company logo, claiming unauthorised use of a protected mark. He also requested a temporary injunction to stop further promotion or sale of the “Claude” AI services pending a full hearing.
Implications
The case is notable for several reasons. First, it is the first time a high-profile AI company headquartered abroad faces a trademark summons from a Karnataka district court, a jurisdiction not typically involved in tech-related IP disputes. Second, the ruling underscores heightened scrutiny of AI startups expanding globally, prompting courts to enforce Indian trademark law more aggressively. Third, the outcome could establish a precedent for handling default judgments against multinational firms, affecting both domestic and foreign AI enterprises seeking to operate under the “Claude” brand.
Next Steps
Anthropic has until 25 January 2024 to file a response or appoint counsel. The plaintiff seeks a temporary injunction to stop any further promotion or sale of the “Claude” AI services pending a full hearing. Both sides are expected to negotiate a settlement, as the litigation may take months and require international legal advice.
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