S. Korean knock-down car maker in India disputes court ban of ‘Hyundai’ name use

Hyundai Global Motors (HGM) disputed a recent Indian court ruling against its alleged trademark violation of Korean auto giant Hyundai Motor Co., claiming it acquired the naming rights through a legal contract.

Hyundai Motor and its Indian affiliate have charged HGM, the Indian arm of South Korean knockoff car maker Global Motors, of improperly utilizing the name "Hyundai" and the automaker's emblem.

The Delhi High Court has upheld an injunction brought by Hyundai Motor to prevent HGM from using the "Hyundai" trademark and its emblem following the dispute.

The court decided that HGM cannot use the disputed name and logo after September 16 unless it can demonstrate that it is a Hyundai Motor affiliate.

Global Motors responded to the decision by releasing a statement in which it asserted that Hyundai Motor had authorized the company's founding. It stated that from 2011 till the end of 2016, HGM had business relationships with Hyundai.

HGM emphasized that it acquired the trademark rights through a contract with Hyundai Motor and served as an affiliate that also issued tax invoices from Hyundai Motor.