Madras High Court order status quo in Massey Ferguson brand dispute between TAFE and AGCO
The Madras High Court has issued an order maintaining the status quo on the use of the Massey Ferguson brand in India.
The court’s decision ensures that TAFE (Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited) will continue to have exclusive, uninterrupted use of the Massey Ferguson brand within the country until the conclusion of the ongoing legal suit, said a statement of TAFE.
This ruling comes amid an ongoing legal dispute between TAFE and AGCO, a US-based agricultural machinery firm. TAFE is the largest shareholder in AGCO.
The Judge delivered the verdict following a detailed hearing of TAFE’s applications, concluding that the company had made a ‘prima facie’ case and that the ‘balance of convenience’ weighed in TAFE’s favour. TAFE has been the sole user of the Massey Ferguson brand in India since 1960, it said.
In the order, the Judge also referenced an earlier status quo ruling by the Division Bench, reinforcing the legal framework in favour of TAFE’s continued use of the brand during the litigation process.
“While we respect this ruling, it is a temporary measure and not based on the evidence that AGCO is yet to submit. We are in the process of considering the terms of the Order and will take the appropriate legal measures to dispute the Order including by way of appeal, said a statement of AGCO.
The dispute between TAFE and AGCO escalated in September 2024, when AGCO announced the termination of its agreements with TAFE, including the brand license for Massey Ferguson. This announcement followed a similar attempt by AGCO to terminate its agreements with TAFE in April 2024, which TAFE challenged in court. The company secured interim relief in that instance, preventing the termination from taking effect.
In response to the termination, TAFE filed a contempt petition, claiming that AGCO’s action violated previous court orders and was carried out without proper notice.
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