Hero Ecotech accused of misusing trade name

Manav Mander

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 29

Hero Cycles Limited has accused Vijay Munjal led Hero Ecotech of misrepresenting and misusing the Hero trade name alongside his “Kross” brand.

Hero Ecotech had launched “Kross”, the bicycle brand in 2012, and Vijay Munjal is the company’s group chairman. Hero Ecotech is one of India’s leading business conglomerates with diversified business interests in electric vehicles, bicycles, exports, medical equipment, real estate and fitness/sports equipment.

“By doing so he is not only violating the trade mark and copyright of Hero Cycles, but also cheating the company’s customers by saying that their products are associated with Hero,” said spokesperson of Hero Cycles Limited.

“There are various court orders already in place which clearly indicate and establishe that Hero trade mark can only be used by Hero Cycles Limited, a company owned by Om Parkash Munjal,” added the spokesperson.

The misuse and misrepresentation of Hero’s trade name is clearly a contempt of court’s order issued on March, 21, 2015, by the Patna district court, which will further lead to punitive action against senior management of the violating company.

The police, on receiving the complaint, conducted raids and seized goods.

Vijay Munjal, chairman, Hero Ecotech Group, said, “It is too early to comment on the matter. The product’s name is “Kross” and the boxes mention “Manufactured by Hero Ecotech”. The product carries only the name “Kross”. As per the family agreement, the name of our company is Hero Ecotech and we have the right to use the company’s name on our products. We have left it for the police to sort out things.”