The legal battle over the name “Anthropic” between a Belagavi-based IT company and US artificial intelligence firm Anthropic PBC has taken a significant turn, with the Registrar of Trade Marks accepting the application of the local company, citing prior use rights.
Belagavi’s Anthropic Softwares Private Limited has been locked in a trademark dispute with the US-based firm, arguing that it has been operating under the name since 2017 — well before the American company registered the trademark in India in 2021.
Registrar Accepts Local Firm’s Application
According to sources within the Belagavi company, its trademark application under Class 42 was accepted without conditions. The application was filed on October 18, 2025, and was accepted on February 19, reportedly after considering evidence of prior commercial use.
The company has also filed a rectification petition seeking cancellation of the trademark granted earlier to the US firm.
Parallel to the trademark proceedings, the Belagavi firm has approached the Principal District and Commercial Court seeking protection of its brand identity. The court has already issued two summons to Anthropic PBC after its representatives failed to appear. The next hearing is scheduled for March 9.
The local company has sought an interim injunction restraining the US firm from using the name “Anthropic” in India until the matter is resolved.
“We Have Used the Name Since 2017”
Speaking to media, Mohammad Ayyaz Mulla, Founder and CEO of Anthropic Softwares, stated that the company had been operating under the brand name since 2017 and had focused primarily on product development rather than trademark formalities.
He said the company spent several years building technology platforms including Dopanet (a WiFi monetisation platform), smart learning solutions for students, the QuickTune driving safety app, and TrueGuide education ERP.
“We never anticipated that an external entity would obtain trademark registration in India using the same name we have been using since 2017,” he said.
Anthropic PBC recently registered its Indian entity and opened an office in Bengaluru, marking its second Asian presence after Japan.
With the Registrar now acknowledging the Belagavi firm’s prior use claim, the dispute has entered a crucial phase. The coming court hearings and trademark proceedings will determine whether the local company retains exclusive rights to the “Anthropic” name in India.