TAFE Asserts Massey Ferguson Ownership in India; Files Contempt Petition Against AGCO

Chennai, India, September 30, 2024: TAFE, one of India's largest tractor manufacturers since 1960, announced their legitimate ownership of the Massey Ferguson brand in India. The company has now filed a contempt of court petition against AGCO Corporation of the United States for allegedly violating the court orders on using the Massey Ferguson brand name in India.

TAFE's claim came in when Chennai Commercial Court issued an interim order in favour of the Indian company, granting a status quo on the brand’s usage from April 29, 2024. 

TAFE claims AGCO’s recent actions to challenge TAFE’s rights over the Massey Ferguson brands violate this court ruling. Moreover, TAFE stated in its petition that any attempt by AGCO to alter the current situation would constitute contempt of court.

TAFE's History of Partnership with Massey Ferguson

TAFE has been the driving force behind the Massey Ferguson brand in India since its foundation in 1960. TAFE produces over 100,000 Massey Ferguson tractors annually, with 3 million satisfied customers across India. Through indigenous research and development, this company has built up a portfolio of more than 500 tractor models suited to Indian farming needs.

AGCO remained silent on its global website for more than six decades without discussing Massey Ferguson in the context of India, Nepal, or Bhutan. TAFE managed the brand exclusively in this region. Today, TAFE is the second-largest tractor-manufacturing company in India and third largest in the world. In this way, TAFE has established itself as a brand of reliability, quality, and customer satisfaction.

TAFE is also a significant equity shareholder in AGCO Corporation, becoming the largest shareholder of the company since 2012. Shareholding further enhanced the strength of the partnership between the two companies. TAFE claims that AGCO has recently done some "ill-advised" things about using brand names, which led to litigation.

Court Rulings and Contempt Petition

Recent legal developments have resulted from alleged moves by AGCO challenging TAFE rights over the brand Massey Ferguson in India. On April 29, 2024, the Chennai Commercial Court passed an order of status quo, ordering neither party to change the status quo established in terms of brand usage until further orders.

Despite the court's ruling, TAFE has filed a contempt petition against AGCO on charges of alleged defiance of the interim order. TAFE attorneys have pleaded that AGCO's actions are an attempt to stifle TAFE’s ability to bring about necessary reforms in AGCO's governance and operational performance.

TAFE alleged that ACGO’s current state was such that despite being a long-term strategic investor with no history of public activism, the Indian company felt compelled to air its concern publicly.

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