LONDON: Pakistan’s viral “Chaiwala” Arshad Khan has launched legal proceedings before the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO), seeking to invalidate a figurative trademark registered by his former UK business partner, Nadir Khan Durrani.
The latest legal action has escalated a long-running commercial dispute involving the ownership and use of Khan’s name, likeness and Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan brand in the United Kingdom.
Arshad and his business partner, Syed Kazim Hasan, have brought the claim against Nadir, alleging breaches of contract, abuse of trust and the unauthorised use of intellectual property and trademarks.
Dispute Over Arshad Khan’s Image
According to documents filed on behalf of the applicants by Kulachi Solicitors, Nadir allegedly registered a figurative trademark incorporating Arshad Khan’s likeness after the business relationship between the parties had ended.
The applicants argue that Nadir no longer had permission to use or register Arshad’s intellectual property independently following the termination of their franchise arrangement.
A central issue in the case is the alleged use of Arshad’s face in a commercial logo. The applicants contend that continued use of his likeness could potentially cause customers to believe that businesses displaying the image are still officially authorised, endorsed or connected to Arshad Khan.
The disputed logo is also alleged to have continued appearing in connection with café businesses in Ilford and Slough without Arshad’s consent.
How Arshad Khan Became the Viral ‘Chaiwala’
Arshad Khan first became an international social-media sensation in 2016, after photographer Javeria Ali photographed him while he was preparing tea at a roadside stall in Islamabad.
His striking blue eyes and distinctive appearance quickly attracted widespread attention online. Within a short period, the young tea seller became a social-media celebrity, with his image spreading across Pakistan, India and other countries.
His newfound fame eventually developed into commercial opportunities, including the creation and expansion of the Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan brand.
UK Franchise Dispute
The business expanded internationally in 2021 when a UK Master Franchise Agreement was signed with Nadir Khan Durrani and Yawar Akbar Durrani, according to the court claim.
The business relationship later deteriorated amid disagreements concerning royalties, branding, contractual responsibilities and intellectual-property rights.
The dispute also involved alleged non-payments relating to the Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan outlet in Ilford, East London. Yawar subsequently resigned from the UK company.
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The UK franchise relationship was formally terminated on April 8, 2025.
The applicants argue that the Master Franchise Agreement provided the UK partners with only limited and conditional rights to use Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan intellectual property while the franchise relationship remained active.
Trademark Application Filed After Termination
According to the applicants, Nadir applied to register the disputed figurative mark in his own name on August 19, 2025, more than four months after the franchise relationship had allegedly been terminated.
They argue that the application was made in bad faith and therefore falls within Section 3(6) of the UK Trade Marks Act 1994, which addresses trademark applications made in bad faith.
The applicants further claim that the disputed mark directly incorporates Arshad Khan’s face and likeness and that there was no continuing consent or licence allowing Nadir to independently register the image as a commercial trademark after the franchise agreement ended.
Former Partner Disputes the Claims
Nadir has disputed Arshad’s account of the commercial relationship. He has maintained that the UK operation invested substantially in developing the cafés and has alleged that it received inadequate operational and marketing support from the franchisor.
He has indicated that he intends to contest the legal action.
Meanwhile, brothers Asif Khaliq and Yousuf Khaliq are now identified as the current Master Franchise owners of the Arshad Khan Chaiwala brand. They operate a Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan outlet in Tooting and are reportedly planning to open additional cafés in the UK.
Tribunal to Decide the Trademark Dispute
The UK tribunal will ultimately determine whether the challenge to the trademark has legal merit. Among the issues it will consider are the circumstances surrounding the registration, whether the trademark application amounted to bad faith and whether the applicants can establish the necessary rights and goodwill supporting their case.
For Arshad Khan, the dispute goes beyond a single logo. At its heart is a wider disagreement over who has the legal right to commercially use his name, image and the brand built around his rise from a roadside tea seller to an international social-media celebrity.
