Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 3: The prolonged fight over Karnataka and Kerala state road transport corporations on the use of the acronym, KSRTC, has ended with Kerala's right of usage having been upheld.

Karnataka had doggedly fought for the use of KSRTC emblem to symbolise its corporation as people of Karnataka popularly known it by that name. Karnataka was also hopeful that it would win this battle. The trade mark registry has ruled that Kerala state corporation will have the exclusive right over KSRTC and emblem.

The registry has asked the Karnataka road corporation to allow Kerala corporation to use the word, KSRTC, on the basis of the Intellectual Property Rights Act. The states had locked horns on the issue in 2013 and the fight continued for eight years.

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation managing director, Shivahyogi Kalsad, said that he has come to know of the judgement and that he is yet to get official notice and copy of the judgement. "Once the judgement is received, the same will be studied, legal experts would be consulted and we will move further as per their advice," he said.