BUDGET CARRIER Cebu Air, Inc. (CEB), the operator of Cebu Pacific, said a Malaysian court has barred AirAsia MOVE, the net travel agency (OTA) of the AirAsia group, from using the airline’s trademarks in distributing and selling Cebu Pacific flight tickets without authorization.
In a press release on Tuesday, Cebu Air said the High Court of Malaya at Kuala Lumpur ruled that MOVE Travel Sdn. Bhd. (MOVE) was not authorized to make use of the CEBU PACIFIC and CebGo trademarks in distributing, offering on the market, or selling the airline’s flight tickets.
Cebu Pacific said it filed legal proceedings against MOVE in June 2024, alleging passing off and in search of to stop the corporate from using the Cebu Pacific and CebGo trademarks in distributing, offering on the market, or selling its flight tickets without authorization.
The airline said the High Court ruled in its favor on its passing-off claims and granted an injunction stopping MOVE from using the Cebu Pacific and CebGo trademarks and from distributing, offering on the market, or selling Cebu Pacific flights through its travel booking platform without authorization.
The court also ordered MOVE to pay 120,000 Malaysian ringgit (RM120,000), or about P1.8 million, in legal costs to Cebu Pacific.
Cebu Pacific said the court likewise awarded damages in its favor, although the quantity will probably be determined in separate proceedings.
“Cebu Pacific stays supportive of travel platforms and partners that use the Cebu Pacific and CebGo trademarks and distribute, offer to sell or sell airline tickets bearing the Cebu Pacific and CebGo trademarks, provided that they accomplish that with Cebu Pacific’s proper authorization,” the airline said.
AirAsia MOVE has yet to answer a request for comment. — Ashley Erika O. Jose