Arshad Khan Challenges Trademark Registered by Former UK Business Partner
Pakistan’s viral “Chaiwala” Arshad Khan has launched legal proceedings in the United Kingdom over the alleged unauthorised use of his name, image and business identity.
Khan and his business partner, Syed Kazim Hasan, have approached the UK Intellectual Property Office seeking to invalidate a figurative trademark registered by former UK business partner Nadir Khan Durrani.
The dispute centres on a logo that allegedly incorporates Arshad Khan’s face and likeness.
According to legal documents filed on behalf of Khan and Hasan, Durrani registered the disputed trademark after their commercial relationship had already ended.
The applicants claim he no longer had permission to use intellectual property connected with the Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan brand.
Kulachi Solicitors, representing the applicants, have alleged breach of contract, abuse of trust and unauthorised use of intellectual property.
The allegations remain subject to determination by the relevant UK tribunal.
Durrani has disputed the claims and said he intends to contest the case.
Arshad Khan became an international social media sensation in 2016 after photographer Javeria Ali captured his image while he was making tea at a roadside stall in Islamabad.
His distinctive appearance and blue eyes quickly attracted widespread attention across Pakistan, India and other countries.
His sudden fame later developed into commercial opportunities under the Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan brand.
Franchise Dispute Escalated Over Royalties, Branding and Intellectual Property
The business began expanding internationally in 2021.
According to the legal claim, a UK Master Franchise Agreement was signed with Nadir Khan Durrani and Yawar Akbar Durrani.
The relationship later deteriorated amid disagreements over royalties, payments, branding and contractual responsibilities.
The dispute also focused on who controlled the intellectual property connected with Arshad Khan’s name and public image.
Court documents state that problems emerged around the Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan outlet in Ilford, East London.
Yawar Akbar Durrani later resigned from the UK company following the dispute.
Arshad Khan and Hasan argue that the original franchise agreement granted the UK partners only limited and conditional permission to use the brand’s intellectual property.
They maintain that those rights existed only while the franchise agreement remained active.
The UK franchise relationship was formally terminated on April 8, 2025.
According to the applicants, any authority to independently use or register Arshad Khan’s image should therefore have ended with the termination.
They allege that Durrani nevertheless applied to register the disputed figurative trademark on August 19, 2025.
That application was made more than four months after the franchise arrangement had ended, according to their claim.
Khan and Hasan argue that the application was made in bad faith and have cited Section 3(6) of the UK Trade Marks Act 1994.
They claim Durrani had no continuing licence or consent to register Khan’s likeness as a commercial trademark in his own name.
Applicants Say Customers Could Be Misled Over Brand Endorsement
The legal challenge also focuses on the possibility of consumer confusion.
Khan and Hasan argue that continued use of Arshad Khan’s likeness could cause customers to believe that businesses displaying the image remain officially connected to him.
They say consumers could assume such outlets are authorised, sponsored, endorsed or controlled by Khan even when that may not be the case.
The filing alleges that the disputed logo has continued to be used in connection with café businesses in Ilford and Slough without Khan’s consent.
Durrani, however, has presented a different account of the commercial relationship.
He maintains that the UK operation invested heavily in developing the cafés and created significant parts of the business independently.
He has also alleged that the UK operation received insufficient marketing and operational support from the franchisor.
Durrani has said he will challenge the legal claims against him.
Meanwhile, brothers Asif Khaliq and Yousuf Khaliq are now described as the Master Franchise owners of the Arshad Khan Chaiwala brand in the United Kingdom.
They currently operate a Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan outlet in Tooting and reportedly plan to open additional locations across the UK.
The UK tribunal will now examine the competing claims.
It will determine whether the disputed trademark was registered in bad faith and whether Khan and Hasan have established sufficient legal rights and goodwill to invalidate it.
The case is expected to focus heavily on the terms of the original franchise agreement, the date of termination and the extent of any continuing rights over Arshad Khan’s likeness.
Until the tribunal reaches a decision, the allegations regarding unlawful trademark use remain contested claims rather than established findings.
