Delhi High Court Dismisses RCB’s Plea Against Uber’s Allegedly Disparaging Advertisement

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a suit filed by Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited, owner of the IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), seeking an injunction against a YouTube advertisement by Uber India Systems Pvt. Ltd. The ad in question, titled “Baddies in Bengaluru ft. Travis Head”, was alleged to be disparaging of RCB’s trademark.

RCB contended that the video features cricketer Travis Head defacing a stadium sign reading “Bengaluru vs Hyderabad” by spray-painting the words “Royally Challenged” before “Bengaluru,” resulting in a phrase that allegedly mocks and dilutes RCB’s trademark.

Uber’s counsel argued that the advertisement was humorous in nature and merely promoted Uber Moto as a solution to Bengaluru’s traffic congestion ahead of the RCB vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad match scheduled for May 13, 2025.

Justice Saurabh Banerjee declined to grant relief, holding that the ad, being cricket-themed and lighthearted, did not warrant judicial intervention. The Court observed that the spirit of cricket embraces fair play and humour, and that the advertisement did not rise to the level of actionable disparagement.