Delhi HC Rejects RCB’s Plea Against Uber’s IPL-Theme Ad

The Delhi High Court on Monday rejected a petition filed by Royal Challengers Sports, the owner of IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), which sought to block Uber India’s bike-taxi advertisement for allegedly twisting one of team’s popular slogans, “Ride like a Hyderabaddie ft. Travis Head”.

Justice Saurabh Banerjee declined to grant an interim injunction, saying that ad was framed in the context of cricket and should be interpreted in the spirit of sportsmanship.

“The impugned advertisement is in the context of a game of cricket, a game of sportsmanship, which, in the opinion of this court, does not call for any interference of any sort at this stage. Interference by this court at this stage would tantamount to allowing the plaintiff to run on water with assurances of their not falling. Accordingly, the present application is dismissed. No order as to costs,” the bench said.

The lawsuit was filed over Uber’s “Baddies in Bengaluru” advertisement which featured Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) player Travis Head. It accused the cab-hailing company of “unauthorised use and distortion” of RCB’s slogan --- “Ee Sala Cup Namde”. In addition, it also accused Uber of “indirect misuse” of its trademark.

The ad shows a fictional character which was painting the words “Royal Challengers Bangalore” in a logistics room. RCB claimed that it was a “deliberate and mocking reference”. Since being released on April 5, the ad garnered more than two million views.

RCB’s Argument

During the hearing, RCB clarified that the franchise holds a registered trademark for the slogans used in Uber ad. It also termed the advertisement an act of “disparagement and trademark misuse”.

Although the ad refrains from using the full team names and simply refers to the match as “Bengaluru vs Hyderabad”, RCB’s legal team contended that the references to their brand are “clear and unmistakable”. RCB also claimed that it was a “deliberate and mocking reference”.

Uber’s Response

Uber pushed back firmly against the allegations, asserting that RCB had grossly underestimated the Indian public’s sense of humour—even that of their own supporters.”

“There is no direct use of the plaintiff’s registered trademarks such as ‘Royal Challengers Bengaluru.’ The reference to ‘Bengaluru vs Hyderabad’ is generic and does not amount to infringement,” Uber said, while rejecting the allegations as quoted by Mint.

The company described the ad as a “playful marketing effort” meant to highlight Uber Moto as a quicker solution to Bengaluru’s infamous traffic. Framed around the 13 May IPL showdown between RCB and SRH, the ad urges fans to consider bike taxis to make it to the stadium on time.