New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS): Keeping in view the ongoing legal tussle, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) on Thursday decided to rechristen the Indian Badminton League (IBL) as Premier Badminton League (PBL), scheduled to be held from January 2 to 17, 2016.

BAI's decision comes during the ongoing legal battle against their erstwhile commercial partners Sporty Solutionz, who together organised the inaugural IBL in August 2013.

The league was not held since the inaugural edition in August 2013. Sporty Solutionz moved the Delhi High Court in October to protect their Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) after BAI terminated the event management company's deal in April, citing breach of contractual obligations.

The next hearing on the matter is on December 10.

"It was a well thought out decision to change the name of the event at this stage. We want to see PBL take global stage with more traction from all the stakeholders. We aim to make PBL the most sought after tournament in the world of badminton," BAI president Akhilesh Das Gupta said.

PBL will commence on January 2 in Mumbai with an opening ceremony while the final will take place here on January 17.