A Malaysian court has barred AirAsia MOVE from using Cebu Pacific’s trademarks and selling the airline’s tickets without authorization, handing a legal victory to the Philippine budget carrier in a trademark dispute.
In a statement released Tuesday, Cebu Air Inc., the operator of Cebu Pacific, said the High Court of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur ruled that MOVE Travel Sdn. Bhd., which operates the AirAsia MOVE online travel platform, was not authorized to use the CEBU PACIFIC and CebGo trademarks in distributing, offering for sale, or selling the airline’s tickets.
The court granted Cebu Pacific’s claims of passing off and issued an injunction prohibiting MOVE from using the airline’s trademarks or selling Cebu Pacific flights through its booking platform without authorization.
The court also ordered MOVE to pay 120,000 Malaysian ringgit, or about ₱1.8 million, in legal costs to Cebu Pacific. It likewise awarded damages to the airline, although the amount will be determined in separate proceedings.
The case stemmed from legal action filed by Cebu Pacific in June 2024, alleging that MOVE had been using the Cebu Pacific and CebGo trademarks without the airline’s authorization in selling its flight tickets.
“Cebu Pacific remains 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 do so with Cebu Pacific’s proper authorization,” the airline said.
