On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the Delhi High Court issued a notice to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in response to a trademark infringement plea filed by Champak, a renowned Indian children’s magazine. The dispute centers around the BCCI’s use of the name ‘Champak’ for its newly introduced AI robot dog featured during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.

During the hearing, Justice Saurabh Banerjee took note of Champak’s long-standing legacy, remarking that the name has been “an existing brand name since eternity.” He directed the BCCI to file a written response to the plea within four weeks. The court has scheduled the next hearing for July 9, 2025.

The plea was filed by Delhi Press Patra Prakashan Pvt. Ltd., the publishing house behind Champak magazine, which has been in continuous circulation since 1968. The magazine claims that the use of its name for the IPL's robot dog constitutes unauthorized use and dilution of a well-established trademark associated with children's literature and entertainment in India.

The legal action comes after widespread attention to the AI-powered robot dog named Champak, which has been featured in IPL matches, including at prominent venues like Eden Gardens in Kolkata. A recent viral moment showed cricket star Shah Rukh Khan interacting with the robot dog, further raising its public profile—and prompting concerns from the magazine's publishers about potential brand confusion.

The court's intervention marks a significant development in the intersection of intellectual property rights and high-profile sports marketing in India.