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Karnataka Startup Sues AI Giant Anthropic Over Brand Name Dispute

A software startup from Karnataka named Anthropic Software has filed a legal complaint in a Belagavi court against the San Francisco-based AI company Anthropic. The startup, founded in 2017, claims it has been using the "Anthropic" brand name and holds patents on it, leading to confusion since the AI giant's popularity and recent entry into India. Founder Mohammad Ayyaz Mulla states the issue intensified when Anthropic AI announced its Indian operations and opened a Bengaluru office in December 2025. The startup seeks to protect its brand identity while not opposing the AI company's market presence.

Key Points: Karnataka Startup Files Complaint Against Anthropic AI for Brand Violation

  • Startup claims prior brand use since 2017
  • AI giant's India entry increased confusion
  • Startup holds patents on the name
  • Seeks court protection for its brand identity
2 min read

Karnataka: Startup files complaint against Anthropic San Francisco for alleged brand violation

A Belagavi-based software startup, Anthropic Software, files a court complaint against the San Francisco AI giant for alleged brand name infringement.

"We want our brand to be there with us. We don't want them to use 'Anthropic' as a brand to promote their products. - Mohammad Ayyaz Mulla"

Belagavi, February 19

A software startup based out of Karnatka which is named Anthropic Software Private ltd has filed a complaint in a Belagavi Court, accusing the San Francisco-based AI giant of using the same brand name as that of their firm.

According to the Karnata baed company it was founded in 2017. Anthropic AI San Francisco is a premier AI safety and research company founded in 2021.

Speaking to ANI, Anthropic Software Founder & Director, Mohammad Ayyaz Mulla, claimed, "We use ourselves as an Anthropic as a brand. So our mark is Anthropic, which we are using across our social media handles and Play Store account. We are generally known, within our customer circle and beyond, as an Anthropic, searchable everywhere, and that is since 2017. We are a Startup Karnataka, Startup India registered company. We have three patents on our name. I am a software engineer with 20 years plus experience. I worked in domains like cybersecurity expert, telecom, high-performance computing. I worked with companies like Intel, QLogic, Bell Labs, Alcatel, Symantec. I was there also in the US for a while in New Jersey, California, Philadelphia. So I have a good experience of industrial background."

Ayaz Mulla claims that since the Karnataka based company uses Anthropic as a brand name there is a confusion started in searchability, in visibility.

"They have taken over the internet, that is because they are more popular. But then we are using the mark, but we are using it from 2017. We are 2017 registered and we also have 4,400 educational institutions on our kitty, lakhs of students are using. In fact, now we are going for a million users for a scholarship program," Mulla stated.

"This increased more when they announced their Indian entry, which happened in December 2025. And they are having an office now in Bangalore. Considering that, we asked the court to let them come; there is no problem, but we want our brand to be there with us. We don't want them to use 'Anthropic' as a brand to promote their products," Mulla added.

Anthropic USA opened a Bengaluru office on February 16 announcing partnerships across enterprise, education, and agriculture that deepen our commitment to India across a range of sectors. They are yet to comment on the complaint filed by the Karnataka based startup.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting case! From a branding perspective, the Karnataka company seems to have a legitimate prior claim. "Anthropic" isn't a common word. The US company should have done better due diligence before entering the Indian market.
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Vikram M
Good move by the Belagavi startup! We need to stand up for our intellectual property. So many foreign companies think they can just waltz in and ignore local players. Hope they get a fair hearing. 🤞
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Ananya R
While I sympathize with the Indian startup, I have a respectful criticism. The name "Anthropic" for a software company and an AI safety company are in very different domains. The confusion might be limited. A coexistence agreement could be a practical solution.
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Michael C
The founder's point about searchability is 100% correct. When a giant like Anthropic AI enters, they completely dominate SEO. The small company becomes invisible overnight. This is a real business threat.
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Kavya N
Serving 4400 educational institutions and lakhs of students is no small feat! This isn't some shell company. They have a real product and user base. Their claim deserves serious consideration. Best of luck to them!

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