PhonePe, a fintech services company, has responded to what it calls “unauthorized usage” of its brand by the Madhya Pradesh Congress, stating that it may take legal action against them.
Posters depicting Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, supposedly saying, “Pay 50% (commission) and get your work done,” have been placed across Gwalior town. Such posters were also seen in Chindwara, Rewa, Satna, and Bhopal, the state capital, before being removed by the administration.
The posters take the style of QR code sheets, which fintech companies use to process online payments. ‘PhonePe’ was prominently written on the top of those posters.
“PhonePe objects to the unauthorized usage of its brand logo, by any third party, be it political or non-political. We are not associated with any political campaign or party,” PhonePe posted on its Twitter handle.
“The PhonePe logo is a registered trademark of our company and any unauthorized use of PhonePe’s intellectual property rights will invite legal action. We humbly request Madhya Pradesh Congress to remove the posters and banners featuring our brand logo and colour,” it said, tagging the Twitter handle of the party’s state unit.
Meanwhile, a FIR has been filed at Padav Police Station against unidentified individuals who put the posters, and the police are looking for them.
According to Rajesh Singh Chandel, SP Gwalior, a BJP worker filed a complaint alleging that his party was defamed, and as a result, a case was filed against an unknown person and an investigation is underway.