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TAFE and AGCO clash over Massey Ferguson brand rights, with Madras High Court ordering status quo amid ongoing legal battles.
Tractors and Farm Equipment (TAFE) and AGCO Corporation announced on 19.11.2024, Tuesday that the Madras High Court has provided legal relief in their ongoing dispute over the use of the Massey Ferguson tractor brand. The court has ordered both parties to maintain the current "status quo" on the matter.
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AGCO, the U.S.-based parent company of Massey Ferguson, stated that the court overturned an interim injunction favoring TAFE. However, TAFE clarified that the court maintained earlier orders protecting its rights to use the Massey Ferguson trademark in India. The company added that ownership and related issues would be decided by a single judge in ongoing proceedings.
TAFE, the largest shareholder in AGCO, holds the registered trademarks for Massey Ferguson in India. According to its statement, the court's decision continues earlier rulings from April 2024 that upheld TAFE's rights.
The conflict escalated in September 2024 when AGCO terminated its agreements with TAFE, including the license to use the Massey Ferguson brand. AGCO justified this decision by alleging breaches of agreements by TAFE. TAFE, however, challenged the termination in court, claiming it was carried out without proper notice.
AGCO has consistently emphasized its global ownership of the 177-year-old Massey Ferguson brand. The company also initiated legal action in India against TAFE for its use of the brand name after the termination notices.
Also Read: TAFE Wins Interim Relief in Massey Ferguson Brand Dispute
TAFE, a significant player in the global agricultural machinery market, manufactures around 180,000 tractors annually, with more than 55% bearing the Massey Ferguson brand. The company exports to over 80 countries and holds brand rights in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.
AGCO remains committed to Indian farmers, promising to provide dependable, high-quality equipment while defending its ownership of the Massey Ferguson brand worldwide.
The High Court's recent ruling continues a complex legal battle between two major players in the farm equipment industry. The final decision on the ownership and use of the Massey Ferguson brand in India is awaited as the dispute progresses in court.
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The Madras High Court's ruling extends legal protection to TAFE while ownership of the Massey Ferguson brand in India remains unresolved. As both companies continue their legal battle, the case highlights the complexities of global brand rights and the high stakes in the competitive agricultural machinery industry.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.