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DiDi and โKeetaโค Engage in โLegal โBattle Over Trademarkโข and Competition inโ Brazil
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SAO PAULO (Reuters) – A Brazilian subsidiary of Chinese ride-hailing company DiDi โคGlobal has filed a โlawsuit againstโข its Chinese competitor,โ Keeta, โขin aโฃ Sao โPaulo court alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition,โ according to court documents reviewed by Reuters.โค This legal action follows a similar suit filed by Keeta against DiDi’s Brazilian unit, 99, alleging that 99Food, its foodโ delivery app, was โattempting toโข restrict restaurants from partnering with multiple delivery platforms.
Trademark Dispute and Allegations of Imitation
In the lawsuit filed onโข Monday, 99 accused Keeta, owned by Chineseโข delivery giant Meituan, โof intentionallyโข mimicking its platform’s colors, graphics, and font to rapidly gain traction in theโฃ Brazilian market. The lawsuit โasserts that these visual similarities are โdesigned to โฃcreate confusion among consumersโ and allow Keeta to benefit from 99’s establishedโข reputation and success, requesting the courtโ to order Keeta to change itsโ logo. โข [[1]]
Did You Know?โฃ The Brazilian market is becoming increasingly competitive in the ride-hailing and food delivery sectors, with several international and local players vying for market share.
Keeta’s response and Counterclaims
Keeta responded to the lawsuit โwith a statement to Reuters, asserting that its logo and โcolor โscheme have been associated with its parent company, Meituan, for over โฃ14 years and with Keeta itself for the past three years. 99 declined to comment on the matter.
This disputeโ highlights the challenges faced byโฃ companies entering โnew markets and the importance ofโ establishing a distinct brand identity.
The Competitive Landscape in Brazil
Brazil represents a meaningful market for ride-hailing and delivery services, with a large population andโค increasing smartphone penetration. [[2]] โ DiDi, through its 99 subsidiary, has established a strong presence in the โฃcountry, offering both ride-hailing and foodโ delivery services. Keeta’s entry into the market signals a further intensificationโ of competition. [[3]]
Is the Brazilian market large enough to support multiple major players in the โride-hailing and food delivery space, or โขwill consolidation be inevitable?
Key Details of theโข Legalโ Dispute
| Plaintiff | Defendant | Allegation | Court |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99 (DiDi โGlobal’s Brazilian Unit) | Keeta (Ownedโ by Meituan) | Trademark Infringement & Unfair Competition | Sao Paulo Court |
Proโฃ Tip: When launching a new โคbrand in a โcompetitive market,โ it’s crucial to conduct thorough trademark โsearches and ensure your branding is sufficiently distinct to avoid legal challenges.
This legal battle between DiDi โand Keeta is a reminder of the importance ofโค protecting intellectual property and maintaining fair competition in the rapidly evolving technology sector.