Anthropic’s India Entry: 3 Key Takeaways
- Indian company Anthropic Softwares files trademark lawsuit against US-based Anthropic
- Indian company founded in 2017, preempting the name 4 years before the US counterpart
- Anthropic is pushing for Indian expansion with a Bengaluru office
Local Indian Company Was There First
Anthropic Softwares, based in Belgaum, India, is a small software company founded in 2017.[Tracxn] They’re a small operation focused on computer repair and app development. US-based Anthropic PBC was founded in 2021. The Indian company was around 4 years earlier.
According to TechCrunch, this Indian company has filed a trademark dispute.[TechCrunch] This is a common trademark clash scenario when expanding internationally.
Anthropic’s India Strategy
Anthropic is opening its second Asia-Pacific office in Bengaluru in early 2026.[Anthropic] India is the world’s second-largest user of Claude.
In January, they recruited Irina Ghose, former Managing Director of Microsoft India, as their country head.[TechCrunch] They plan to support over 10 Indian languages, including Hindi.
Lessons from the Trademark Dispute
It’s common for a well-known name in one country to already be registered in another. Resolving this dispute has become Anthropic’s first challenge in its Indian venture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What kind of company is Anthropic Softwares in India?
A: It’s a software company founded in Belgaum, India, in 2017. Their main business is computer repair and app development, and they’re a small company. They were established 4 years before the US-based Anthropic and have been using the trademark in India first.
Q: Why is Anthropic expanding into India?
A: India is the second-largest user of Claude globally, after the US. There’s a high adoption rate in the tech sector. They plan to open an office in Bengaluru and leverage AI in education, healthcare, and agriculture.
Q: How can the trademark dispute be resolved?
A: Options include negotiation, licensing agreements, changing the local brand name, or legal action. Since the Indian company registered the name first, negotiation is likely, but the outcome is still pending.
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References
- Anthropic’s India expansion collides with a local company – TechCrunch (2026-02-09)
- Expanding Global Operations to India – Anthropic (2025-10-08)
- Anthropic taps former Microsoft India MD – TechCrunch (2026-01-15)
- Anthropic Softwares Private Limited – Tracxn (2026)