It's Anthropic vs Anthropic in India: Bengaluru company caught in cloud of confusion

As artificial intelligence major Anthropic accelerates its expansion into India, the company’s entry has triggered a legal dispute with a Bengaluru-based software firm that says it has been operating under the same name for years, according to a report by TechCrunch.

The complaint, filed in a commercial court in Karnataka in January, states that Anthropic Software has used the name “Anthropic” since 2017 and argues that the US-based AI company’s recent arrival in India has led to confusion among customers.

According to TechCrunch, the Indian firm is seeking formal recognition of its prior use of the name, relief to prevent further confusion, and damages of Rs 10 million (roughly $110,000).


The legal move comes as Anthropic sharpens its focus on the Indian market. The company announced plans for an India office last October and has since appointed former Microsoft India managing director Irina Ghose to lead local operations, steps that underline India’s growing strategic importance for global AI firms expanding beyond North America and Europe.

Anthropic Software founder and director Mohammad Ayyaz Mulla told TechCrunch the company’s intent is not confrontation but clarity over brand usage in India, adding that legal action would remain a fallback if coexistence could not be resolved.

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

India, the world’s most populous country and among the fastest-growing internet markets, has emerged as a key competitive arena for AI developers including Anthropic and OpenAI. The country is also preparing to host an AI Impact Summit in New Delhi next week, where Anthropic co-founder and CEO Dario Amodei is scheduled to appear alongside industry leaders such as Sam Altman, Jensen Huang, and Sundar Pichai.

Furthermore, a court order dated January 20, as seen by TechCrunch, shows the court has issued notice and suit summons to Anthropic but declined to grant an interim injunction.

The matter is scheduled to return to court on February 16, the report added.