Hero Motocorp and Hero Electric have been embroiled in a legal battle over the use of the name ‘Hero’. The legal dispute has been ongoing for over a decade, with both companies claiming the exclusive rights to the name. In this article, we will look at the companies involved, the controversy between them, and the legal battle that has ensued.
Hero Motocorp
Hero Motocorp is a leading two-wheeler manufacturer in India. Founded in 1984, the company has grown to become India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, with a market share of over 60%. It has a presence in more than 30 countries and employs over 10,000 people. The company manufactures a range of two-wheelers, including scooters, motorcycles, and mopeds.
Hero Electric
Hero Electric is a leading electric two-wheeler manufacturer in India. Founded in 2003, the company has grown to become India’s largest electric two-wheeler manufacturer, with a market share of over 40%. It has a presence in more than 20 countries and employs over 1,500 people. The company manufactures a range of electric two-wheelers, including scooters, motorcycles, and mopeds.
Controversy
The controversy between Hero Motocorp and Hero Electric began in 2007, when Hero Motocorp claimed exclusive rights to the name ‘Hero’. This claim was contested by Hero Electric, who argued that the name was not exclusive to Hero Motocorp and was in fact used by both companies. Hero Electric argued that the use of the name ‘Hero’ was a common practice in the two-wheeler industry, and that both companies were entitled to use the name.
Legal Battle
In 2008, Hero Motocorp filed a lawsuit against Hero Electric in the Delhi High Court. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2009, with the court ruling in favour of Hero Electric. However, Hero Motocorp appealed the ruling and in 2011, the Supreme Court of India ruled in favour of Hero Motocorp, granting it exclusive rights to the name ‘Hero’.
Conclusion
The legal battle between Hero Motocorp and Hero Electric over the use of the name ‘Hero’ has been ongoing for over a decade. The Supreme Court of India has ruled in favour of Hero Motocorp, granting it exclusive rights to the name. Both companies have since continued to use the name, but with caution.
