Taxi Service Ordered to Stop Using RIL's 'Jio' Brand

Post by : Raina Nasser

A taxi service operating in the Middle East has been legally ordered to stop using the 'Jio' trademark owned by Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) following a ruling by the Bombay High Court in India. The court found that the taxi service’s use of the 'Jio' name and the domain 'jiocabs.com' could cause damage to the reputation and goodwill of RIL’s well-established brand.

The company had initially branded itself as 'Jiocabs' and continued to use the domain 'jiocabs.com' even after being asked to change its name, which prompted RIL to approach the court for legal intervention.

The High Court issued an interim order directing the taxi service to immediately stop using the 'Jio' trademark, the domain, and any logos or designs that resemble RIL’s trademarks, emphasizing that continued unauthorized use could lead to serious harm for RIL. While this ruling applies to a company with operations tied to India, it serves as a cautionary example for businesses in the Middle East to respect intellectual property rights and ensure their branding does not infringe on established trademarks.

Observers note that respecting brand identity is increasingly important in the region, where global and local companies operate in overlapping markets and digital domains. The decision reinforces the legal protections for major corporate brands and underscores the significance of complying with trademark regulations to avoid legal disputes and reputational damage.