Boman Irani, co-founder of Classic Legends, has been vindicated as the rightful owner of the trademark ‘YEZDI’ by the Hon’ble Karnataka High Court’s Division Bench. The Hon’ble Bench hearing the appeal observed that the registrations for brand ‘YEZDI’ obtained by Mr Irani are valid and comply with the Trade Marks Act. The favourable ruling marks a pivotal moment for the manufacturer of YEZDI, Jawa and BSA motorcycles, Classic Legends, a Mahindra Group company. Along with its co-founder, Mr Irani, it has come out on the right side of history in a pathbreaking battle for IPR of one of India’s most beloved motorcycle brands.
The hon’ble Karnataka High Court has overturned a previous Single Judge ruling and declared, in no uncertain terms, that Ideal Jawa’s prolonged non-use and failure to renew trademark registrations amounted to abandonment, and reaffirmed Mr Irani’s legitimate rights over the brand.
Boman Irani, Co-Founder of Classic Legends and Chairman and MD of Rustomjee Group, said, “The verdict feels much more momentous than a fateful personal victory for my family’s legacy. It reaffirms that the perseverance in keeping heritage brands alive never goes unrewarded. The honourable court and judges have supported our efforts to renew YEZDI through innovation and lawful means. I know my father would have wanted me to blaze a trail with brand YEZDI, which has been a part of me since my childhood, and I thank the Indian judicial system for recognising our efforts in carrying forward the legacy for future generations.”
Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group, said, “The honourable Karnataka High Court judges have brought their astute understanding to a case which will redefine India’s IPR legal disputes. It will discourage unwarranted and unfair hurdles to trademark ownership. The verdict proves that sincere efforts to keep alive legacy brands are worth pursuing and vindicates the winning spirit that Boman and Anupam bring to Classic Legends’ mission of reviving YEZDI.”
Anupam Thareja, co-founder, Classic Legends, said, “We have honoured YEZDI’s true challenger spirit in reviving the storied brand. We had complete faith in the Indian judicial system, and our trust stands vindicated as the honourable judges have affirmed our rightful ownership of brand YEZDI. We will continue with the same spirit and ensure YEZDI roars back into the hearts of India’s modern motorcycling community.”
The brand name of YEZDI traces its roots to Mr Irani’s Parsi family legacy. YEZDI in Persian signifies wind as a guiding force, a fitting name capturing one of the undeniable joys of motorcycling. Mr Irani’s father drew the YEZDI insignia on a piece of paper when Jawa’s original licensing agreement with Ideal Jawa ceased in 1969, coming up with India’s original motorcycle brand to continue producing the iconic machines.
Ideal Jawa had stopped production in 1996 and was liquidated in 2001. It had failed to renew the trademark registrations of YEZDI and abandoned it for over 15 years. In contrast, the hon’ble Karnataka High Court’s Division Bench noted Mr Irani has proactively worked on reviving the legendary brand and lawfully acquired the requisite trademark registrations in 2013-14. He eventually partnered with Mr Anupam Thareja and the Mahindra Group to co-found Classic Legends in 2015, with the sole aim of bringing back the glorious days of India’s beloved motorcycling brand.
The Karnataka High Court has dismissed all pending applications, set aside the earlier Single Judge’s order, and allowed all appeals by Mr Irani and Classic Legends. The seminal decision in India’s IPR landscape will set the right precedent for disputes involving legacy brands and highlights the need for active stewardship in preserving brand heritage, as exemplified by Mr Irani.
Salient points in the 27 November 2025 judgement:
The Karnataka High Court observed that Ideal Jawa had stopped using the YEZDI mark in 1996, allowed registrations to lapse, and took no steps to protect it, the mark had no surviving goodwill.
Common-law rights for trademarks exist only through their continued use.
Both Ideal Jawa and the Official Liquidator (OL) were inactive in using or renewing the trademark.
The OL cannot claim ignorance of the trademark’s existence when YEZDI was Ideal Jawa’s sole business.
With no business for 30 years, no renewal, no use, no protection, and trademark not even mentioned in asset sales, goodwill was extinguished.
The dues owed to Ideal Jawa in liquidation have no connection to the value of its trademark. The OL cannot equate alleged debts with trademark value.
Trademarks are intangible rights dependent on use and renewal. Unlike physical property, they don’t inherently persist.
