Legal Battle Unfolds in Brazil’s Ride-Hailing Market
In a significant development in the ride-hailing industry, Didi Global’s Brazilian subsidiary filed a lawsuit against its Chinese competitor Keeta on Monday in a São Paulo court. The litigation, highlighted in court documents viewed by Reuters, revolves around allegations of trademark infringement and unfair competition.
Background of the Case
This legal action comes shortly after Keeta initiated its own lawsuit against Didi’s Brazilian operations, specifically targeting the food delivery service 99. Keeta claims that 99’s app has been attempting to limit restaurants from partnering with more than two delivery platforms, a move perceived as anti-competitive.
Accusations of Misleading Branding
In the lawsuit filed by 99, the platform accuses Keeta, which is controlled by Meituan, of adopting colors, graphics, and fonts that are strikingly similar to its own branding. This has led to claims that such visual similarities may create consumer confusion. Didi’s subsidiary further alleges that Keeta seeks to “hitch a ride” on its success in Brazil by mimicking its branding and platform aesthetics. The lawsuit requests that the court mandates Keeta to alter its logo to avoid further infringement.
In response, Keeta defended its branding by stating that its logo and colors have held a longstanding association with Meituan, dating back over 14 years, and with Keeta itself for the past three years. Notably, 99 has chosen not to comment publicly on the matter.
This ongoing legal skirmish underscores the rising tensions within Brazil’s highly competitive ride-hailing and food delivery sectors, as companies vie for market dominance amid increasingly aggressive strategies.
