In a significant development, the Bombay High Court has restrained a group of cab operators from using the ‘Jio’ trademark owned by Reliance Industries (RIL) for taxi services offered under the domain name www.jiocabs.com.
The interim order was passed by Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan on October 7, 2025, following a suit filed by RIL alleging trademark infringement and passing off.
As per media reports, Justice Sundaresan has observed that the continued use of a well-known and protected brand name could cause “grave injury,” and RIL has made out a strong prima facie case for urgent intervention. The court has been informed that the defendants, Asif Ahmed (registrant of the domain), Usman (proprietor of Doon Taxi Service), and P.D.R. Solutions LLC (domain registrar), have been operating taxi services in Dehradun and Delhi under the name “Jiocabs,” using logos and artwork closely resembling RIL’s original artistic works. The website has also listed Mumbai as a service location.
Although the defendants have changed their business name following a legal notice, the domain jiocabs.com has remained active. Justice Sundaresan has stated that the balance of convenience lies in favour of granting ad-interim relief to RIL.
The court’s order has restrained the defendants and any associated entities from using the ‘Jio’ name, mark, or any deceptively similar artwork in connection with taxi services or any other goods or services. The protection has extended to RIL’s trademarks registered under multiple classes, including Class 9 (digital goods), Class 38 (telecommunications), and Class 39 (transport and travel services).
The judge has also referred to a previous 2021 order of the Bombay High Court recognising ‘Jio’ as a well-known trademark, with RIL holding 14 separate registrations and reporting misuse across at least 11 domain names. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on November 28, 2025, and the defendants have been given four weeks to file their reply.
