Anthropic’s India expansion collides with a local company that already had the name

Source: TechCrunch

Anthropic’s India expansion

Anthropic is deepening its focus on India, having announced an India office last October and more recently appointing former Microsoft India managing director Irina Ghose to lead its Bengaluru operations. The move underscores the South Asian market’s growing importance to global AI companies expanding beyond the U.S. and Europe.

Legal complaint by Anthropic Software

In a complaint filed in a commercial court in Karnataka in January (reviewed by TechCrunch), the Indian company Anthropic Software says it has used the name “Anthropic” since 2017. The firm alleges that Anthropic’s recent entry into India has caused customer confusion and is seeking:

• Recognition of its prior use of the name
• Relief to prevent further confusion
• ₹10 million (about $110,000) in damages

Anthropic Software founder and director Mohammad Ayyaz Mulla told TechCrunch that the company is not seeking confrontation, but clarity and recognition of its prior use in India, adding that litigation is a fallback if a clean coexistence cannot be achieved.

“As of now, I am exercising my legal right as it’s causing huge confusion to my customers,” he said.

Industry context

India, the world’s most populous nation and one of the fastest‑growing internet markets, has become a key battleground for AI companies like Anthropic and its rival OpenAI. The country is also set to host an AI Impact Summit in New Delhi next week, where Anthropic co‑founder and chief executive Dario Amodei will appear alongside other industry leaders such as Sam Altman, Jensen Huang, and Sundar Pichai.

Court proceedings

A court order dated January 20, seen by TechCrunch, shows that the court has issued notice and suit summons to Anthropic. However, it declined to grant an interim injunction and listed the matter to return on February 16.

Anthropic did not respond to a request for comment.