BCCI in hot waters over its IPL 2025 robot dog ‘Champak’ as comic book seeks legal action

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is facing legal scrutiny after Delhi Press Patra Prakashan, the publisher of the popular children’s magazine Champak, filed a trademark infringement suit in the Delhi High Court. The controversy centres around the naming of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025's robotic dog, developed for fan engagement, as "Champak".

Justice Saurabh Banerjee issued notice on the application for an interim injunction and has given BCCI four weeks to file its response. The matter will be heard again on July 9.

The robot dog was introduced by broadcast technology company wTVision in collaboration with Omnicam and BCCI. According to Delhi Press, the use of the name "Champak" without permission constitutes infringement and amounts to commercial exploitation of their registered trademark.

The Courtroom Clash: Claims and Counterclaims

Representing Delhi Press, Advocate Amit Gupta argued that the character name holds significant recognition among children, and the unauthorised use during a commercial sporting event like IPL damages the brand's identity.

“This AI tool [robot dog] has been named Champak… there are regular reports about this 'robotic dog' in the media,” Gupta stated, pointing out that marketing and promotion during IPL add to the commercial nature of the violation.

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However, the Court pressed for clearer evidence of commercial detriment and noted the absence of sufficient pleading under Section 29(4) of the Trademarks Act.

BCCI’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate J Sai Deepak, countered that 'Champak' is not a unique term, being the name of a flower and a character in other entertainment domains such as Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. They argued that the name's usage was not exclusive to the magazine and must be tested at trial.

What's Next for the 'Champak' Dispute?

While the robotic dog was named through fan votes during the IPL season, the court has questioned the extent of commercial intent and harm. It refused to grant an immediate interim injunction, stating it was too early to determine trademark dilution or unfair advantage.

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The next hearing is scheduled for July 9, and until then, the robot dog continues to operate under the name 'Champak' — but now under legal observation. The case may set a precedent on how cultural and commercial symbols intersect in the age of technology and sport.