IPL 2025: BCCI slapped with legal notice over naming AI robot dog 'Champak'

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has received a notice from the Delhi High Court for naming the AI robot dog that is part of its coverage of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season ‘Champak’. The BCCI has been accused of copyright infringement by Delhi Press Patra Prakashan, the publisher of 31 magazines in nine languages including a popular children’s magazine by the same name.

Advocate Amit Gupta, representing Delhi Press, argued that the BCCI’s decision to name their “AI tool” was a clear infringement of the publisher’s registered trademark. ““This AI tool [robotic dog] has been named as Champak. The IPL has been going on. The product was introduced earlier but it was named later on April 23 purportedly based on fan voting,” Gupta submitted in his petition, according to Bar and Bench.

BCCI’s legal counsel clarifies the inspiration behind ‘Champak’ name for robot dog

J Sai Deepak, the advocate representing the Indian cricket board at the Delhi High Court, clarified that the name ‘Champak’ had nothing to do with the children’s magazine. Instead, the robot dog was named after Champaklal Jayantilal Gada, a recurring character in the popular television sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah portrayed by Amit Bhatt_._ 

The Court also quizzed Gupta as to why Delhi Press did not object to star batter Virat Kohli being nicknamed ‘Cheeku’, which is also which is the name of one of the magazine’s characters.

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Gupta, however, replied by saying Kohli having the same nickname as one of their characters did not amount to commercial exploitation, which he claimed was the case when it came to Champak the robot dog.

The Delhi HC, however, has refused to prove an interim injunction to Delhi Press in their petition, and has set 9 July as the date for the next hearing.

We asked and you answered ✍️

Based on fan votes, we present 'Champak' - the newest member of our family 🗳🥳#TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/D2x1o8FeDR

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2025

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The robot dog had been introduced for the first time this IPL season during Delhi Capitals’ home game against Mumbai Indians at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on 13 April and has since become something of a recurring character across matches, appearing at the toss and remaining on the sidelines thereafter. Players have also been spotted getting friendly with the robot dog from time to time, especially during practice sessions.

‘Champak’ was developed by broadcast technology company wTVision in collaboration with Omnicam and the BCCI and is equipped with advanced features. Not only can it perform a variety of movements including standing on its hind legs like dogs, it is also fitted with a high-definition camera that allows it to provide a unique glimpse into the action on the field.

The name ‘Champak’ incidentally, was decided through an online fan poll conducted by the league. The winning name from the poll was announced via social media and through live telecast ahead of MI’s home game against Chennai Super Kings on 20 April.