Anthropic faces lawsuit in India as local firm claims name rights since 2017

Anthropic's India expansion collides with a local company that already had the name | TechCrunch

As Anthropic expands into India, a local software company has filed a court complaint saying it was already using the name "Anthropic," spotlighting how the rapid global push of AI firms can collide with local incumbents. The filing comes amid Anthropic deepening its focus on India, announcing an India office last October and more recently appointing former Microsoft India managing director Irina Ghose to lead its operations in the country, underscoring the South Asian market's growing importance to global AI companies expanding beyond the U.S. and Europe. In a complaint filed in a commercial court in Karnataka in January, reviewed by TechCrunch, the Indian company Anthropic Software says it has used the name since 2017 and that Anthropic's recent entry into India has led to customer confusion. The firm is seeking recognition of its prior use and relief to prevent further confusion, along with ₹10 million (about $110,000) in damages. Anthropic Software founder and director Mohammadayyaz A. Mulla told TechCrunch that the Indian company was not seeking confrontation, but clarity and recognition of its prior use in India, adding that litigation was a fallback if clean coexistence could not be achieved. "As of now, I am exercising my legal right as it's causing huge confusion to my customers," he said. India, the world's most populous nation and one of the fastest-growing internet markets, has become a key battleground for AI companies like Anthropic and its rival OpenAI. The country is also set to host an AI Impact Summit in New Delhi next week, where Anthropic co-founder and chief executive Dario Amodei is appearing alongside other industry leaders like Sam Altman, Jensen Huang, and Sundar Pichai. A court order dated January 20 and seen by TechCrunch shows that the court has issued notice and suit summons to Anthropic. However, it declined to grant an interim injunction and listed the matter to return on February 16. Anthropic did not respond to a request for comment.

It's Anthropic vs Anthropic in India: Bengaluru company caught in cloud of confusion

AI giant Anthropic faces a legal challenge in India from a local software firm claiming prior use of the 'Anthropic' name. The Bengaluru-based company seeks to prevent customer confusion and has filed a lawsuit for damages. This dispute emerges as Anthropic expands its presence in the rapidly growing Indian AI market, highlighting potential trademark frictions during global expansion. As artificial intelligence major Anthropic accelerates its expansion into India, the company's entry has triggered a legal dispute with a Bengaluru-based software firm that says it has been operating under the same name for years, according to a report by TechCrunch. The complaint, filed in a commercial court in Karnataka in January, states that Anthropic Software has used the name "Anthropic" since 2017 and argues that the US-based AI company's recent arrival in India has led to confusion among customers. According to TechCrunch, the Indian firm is seeking formal recognition of its prior use of the name, relief to prevent further confusion, and damages of Rs 10 million (roughly $110,000). The legal move comes as Anthropic sharpens its focus on the Indian market. The company announced plans for an India office last October and has since appointed former Microsoft India managing director Irina Ghose to lead local operations, steps that underline India's growing strategic importance for global AI firms expanding beyond North America and Europe. Anthropic Software founder and director Mohammad Ayyaz Mulla told TechCrunch the company's intent is not confrontation but clarity over brand usage in India, adding that legal action would remain a fallback if coexistence could not be resolved. "As of now, I am exercising my legal right as it's causing huge confusion to my customers," he said. India, the world's most populous country and among the fastest-growing internet markets, has emerged as a key competitive arena for AI developers including Anthropic and OpenAI. The country is also preparing to host an AI Impact Summit in New Delhi next week, where Anthropic co-founder and CEO Dario Amodei is scheduled to appear alongside industry leaders such as Sam Altman, Jensen Huang, and Sundar Pichai. Furthermore, a court order dated January 20, as seen by TechCrunch, shows the court has issued notice and suit summons to Anthropic but declined to grant an interim injunction. The matter is scheduled to return to court on February 16, the report added.

Indian software firm sues Anthropic over name as AI firm expands in India

The lawsuit comes at a time when Anthropic is increasing its focus on India. An Indian software company has filed a lawsuit against AI company Anthropic, saying it has been using the name 'Anthropic' in India for years and that the AI firm's recent expansion into the country is causing confusion among customers. The complaint was filed in January in a commercial court in Karnataka by a company called Anthropic Software. According to court documents reviewed by TechCrunch, the Indian firm says it has been using the name Anthropic since 2017. Anthropic Software is asking the court to recognise its earlier use of the name in India. It is also seeking steps to prevent further confusion and has asked for Rs 10 million in damages. 'As of now, I am exercising my legal right as it's causing huge confusion to my customers,' Mohammad Ayyaz Mulla, the founder and director of Anthropic Software, told TechCrunch. Also read: OpenAI starts testing ads in ChatGPT, says AI responses won't be affected A court order dated January 20 shows that the Karnataka court has sent notices to Anthropic about the case. However, the court did not grant an immediate temporary ban on Anthropic's use of the name. The case is scheduled to be heard again on February 16, as per the report. The lawsuit comes at a time when Anthropic is increasing its focus on India. The company announced plans to open an office in the country last October. More recently, it appointed Irina Ghose, the former managing director of Microsoft India, to lead its operations in the country. These moves show how important India has become for global AI companies looking to grow beyond the US and Europe. Also read: OpenAI co-founder says agentic engineering is the next big thing in AI coding India is the world's most populous country and one of the fastest-growing internet markets. Because of this, it has become a major target for AI firms such as Anthropic and its rival OpenAI. India will also host an AI Impact Summit in New Delhi next week. Anthropic co-founder and CEO Dario Amodei is expected to attend, along with other well-known tech leaders including Sam Altman, Jensen Huang, and Sundar Pichai.