Robo-dog ‘Champak’ sparks trademark dispute between BCCI and Delhi Press

A stunning authorized battle has erupted over the robotic canine named “Champak” within the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) launched the AI-powered robo-dog throughout the 2025 IPL season to seize distinctive on-field digicam angles and entertain followers. The title “Champak” was chosen via a fan ballot in April 2025, profitable 76% of votes in opposition to names like Buddy and Jaffa.

Delhi Press recordsdata lawsuit in opposition to BCCI

However the bother started when Delhi Press, the writer of the favored kids’s journal ‘Champak’, filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in Delhi Excessive Court docket on April 30, 2025. The journal, a beloved model since 1969 argued that the BCCI’s use of “Champak” for the robo-dog violated its registered trademark. Press argued that the board used the title ‘Champak’ with out authorisation and in a approach that quantities to business exploitation. The plea additionally mentioned that the nickname of star Indian batter Virat Kohli, is Cheeku and in one of many interviews he himself disclosed that his nickname was impressed by a personality which seems in Champak journal.

“Individuals throughout all genres determine the phrase Champak completely with the plaintiff and its magazines and the animal characters that are the main target of the journal. It’s reiterated that even the nickname of Virat Kohli, that’s Cheeku, relies on the character from the plaintiff’s journal, Champak,” quoting the plea filed by prosecutor.

The BCCI fought again, saying “Champak” isn’t unique to the journal. Its lawyer, J. Sai Deepak, identified that “Champak” is a typical title, linked to a flower and even a personality from the TV present Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. The BCCI careworn that followers picked the title, not the group, so there was no intent to steal the journal’s id.

Additionally READ: Is Vaibhav Suryavanshi actually 14? Viral video triggers age fraud allegations

Courtroom drama and jokes amid controversy

In court docket, Justice Saurabh Banerjee refused to ban the BCCI from utilizing “Champak” for now, saying there wasn’t sufficient proof of hurt to the journal. Nevertheless, he requested the BCCI to reply formally inside 4 weeks. The following listening to is scheduled for July 9, 2025. The decide even joked about why Delhi Press hadn’t sued cricketer Virat Kohli, whose nickname “Chiku” comes from a Champak character, to which the writer replied that Kohli’s nickname isn’t used for revenue.

“When did you come to find out about it? This is among the characters in Champak. However you didn’t proceed in opposition to him, you haven’t initiated any motion in opposition to him (Virat Kohli),” Justice Banerjee mentioned throughout the listening to.

The case has sparked a buzz on social media, with  customers joking in regards to the conflict. Some teased that the journal may sue botanists over the Champa flower subsequent. Others laughed that the TV character Champaklal may be a part of the authorized combat. The dispute highlights how difficult trademark legal guidelines could be when manufacturers, sports activities, and know-how combine. Because the IPL pushes modern concepts just like the robo-dog, this case may form how names are protected in sports activities and leisure.

Additionally READ: Anushka Sharma breaks silence on Virat Kohli’s aggressive picture