South African firm files for ownership of IPL brands

Rodney D Ryder of law firm Kochhar & Co, which is the legal representative of IPL franchise Deccan Chargers, said his client will oppose the application.
"We will oppose the application of KBJ Asset Holding for the registration of IPL franchise brands and hope that we will succeed in the entire process, as everybody knows that these brands belong to IPL teams," Ryder said.
He further said that KBJ has also sought to register these brands for soccer and rugby sports, besides education and training programmes.
KBJ Asset Holding has filed applications before the Patent and Trade Marks Office in South Africa seeking ownership of trademark rights.
The firm has filed applications in March this year. On other hand, BCCI's IPL and Essel group promoted rival ICL (Indian Cricket League) are already in loggerheads on ownership of these trademark on 'Twenty-20'.

When asked about Deccan Chargers's strategy to retain its trademark, Ryder said first of all they would register their protest at government level.
"In case, we failed to stop KBJ's application at the government level then will fight the legal battle," Ryder said.
He further said his franchise is already co-ordinating with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on this issue.
Back to home, Deccan Chargers, the winner of latest IPL tournament, has already filed several applications before the Controller General of Patent Design and Trademarks(CGPDTM) for registration of its brands under several categories.