Belagavi start-up moves SEC over Anthropic brand dispute ahead of IPO

Belagavi: As California-based AI company Anthropic PBC prepares for a potential public listing, Belagavi-based Anthropic Softwares Private Limited has approached the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), seeking disclosure of an ongoing brand dispute to prospective investors.The Indian start-up has urged the SEC to ensure that the legal proceedings and related risks are fully disclosed in Anthropic PBC’s IPO documents. It has submitted details of the dispute, arguing that the litigation could have implications for the company’s branding and business operations.According to the filing, Anthropic Softwares, incorporated in April 2017, claims prior use of the “Anthropic” brand. The company said it has built businesses in WiFi monetisation through its DopaNet platform and in the education technology sector.The dispute is being contested on multiple legal fronts. A commercial suit is pending before the Principal District and Commercial Court in Belagavi, where Anthropic PBC’s Indian arm, based in Bengaluru, has filed its objections. The next hearing is scheduled for July 9. Notices have also been issued to Anthropic PBC.Separately, the Belagavi firm has approached the Registrar of Trademarks seeking cancellation of the trademark granted to Anthropic PBC.

In turn, Anthropic PBC has opposed the trademark application filed by the Indian start-up.Speaking to TOI, Mohammad Ayyaz, managing director of Anthropic Softwares Private Limited, said the company’s claims are backed by patents, govt recognitions and deployment records. He argued that the multi-front litigation could affect brand positioning, operational continuity, goodwill and investor confidence as Anthropic PBC moves towards an IPO.Ayyaz also highlighted instances of emails being misdirected between the domains anthropic.in and anthropic.com. He said the Belagavi company has implemented an automated mechanism to redirect such emails to their intended recipients in compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and alleged that Anthropic PBC has not adopted a similar process.