ISLAMABAD/LONDON: Pakistan’s viral “Chaiwala” Arshad Khan has launched a legal challenge before the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) in a dispute over the commercial use of his name, image and the Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan brand.
The case seeks to invalidate a figurative trademark registered by Khan’s former UK business partner, Nadir Khan Durrani, and marks a major escalation in a long-running dispute over franchise rights, branding and intellectual property.
Arshad Khan and his business partner Syed Kazim Hasan have brought the challenge against Durrani, alleging breach of contract, abuse of trust and unauthorised use and registration of intellectual property linked to the brand.
According to documents filed through Kulachi Solicitors, Durrani registered a figurative mark incorporating Arshad Khan’s likeness after the commercial relationship between the parties had ended.
The applicants argue that Durrani no longer had permission to independently use or register Khan’s name, image or associated intellectual property once the franchise relationship had been terminated.
Dispute Centres on Arshad Khan’s Image and Trademark
A key part of the case concerns the use of Arshad Khan’s face and likeness in the disputed logo.
The applicants maintain that Durrani had no continuing consent or licence to commercially register or use Khan’s image after the franchise agreement ended.
They also argue that continued use of the likeness could mislead customers into believing that businesses displaying the image remain authorised, endorsed or controlled by Arshad Khan.
The legal filing further alleges that the disputed logo continued to be used in connection with café businesses in Ilford and Slough without Khan’s consent.
From Viral Chaiwala to International Brand
Arshad Khan rose to global prominence in 2016 after photographer Javeria Ali captured his photograph while he was making tea at a roadside stall in Islamabad.
His distinctive appearance and blue eyes quickly turned him into a viral social-media figure in Pakistan, India and other countries.
The sudden fame later evolved into a commercial brand, with the Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan concept expanding beyond Pakistan and into international markets.
The UK expansion became a central part of that growth.
UK Franchise Deal Later Collapsed
In 2021, a UK Master Franchise Agreement was signed with Nadir Khan Durrani and Yawar Akbar Durrani for development of the Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan business in Britain.
The relationship later deteriorated amid disagreements over royalty payments, branding, contractual obligations, business operations and intellectual-property rights.
Following disputes surrounding the Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan outlet in Ilford, East London, Yawar Akbar Durrani resigned from the UK company.
According to the applicants, the franchise relationship was formally terminated on April 8, 2025.
They argue that the Master Franchise Agreement gave the UK partners only limited and conditional rights to use the Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan intellectual property while the franchise remained in force.
Trademark Application Challenged as ‘Bad Faith’
The applicants allege that despite termination of the franchise, Durrani applied on August 19, 2025 to register the disputed figurative trademark in his own name.
They contend that the application was made in bad faith and falls within the scope of Section 3(6) of the UK Trade Marks Act 1994.
The challenge therefore asks the UKIPO to examine the circumstances in which the trademark was registered and determine whether the registration should remain valid.
The case could have wider commercial implications because the disputed mark is tied directly to the visual identity that helped make Arshad Khan internationally recognisable.
Current Franchise Owners Also Part of Wider Brand Dispute
The applicants describe brothers Asif Khaliq and Yousuf Khaliq as the current master franchise owners of the Arshad Khan Chaiwala brand.
They operate a Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan outlet in Tooting and are planning additional UK locations.
The outcome of the UKIPO case could therefore affect how the brand is used across current and future British outlets.
Durrani Rejects Khan’s Version of Events
Durrani has disputed Arshad Khan’s account of the commercial relationship.
He has maintained that the UK operation invested substantially in developing the café business and has alleged that the franchisor failed to provide adequate operational and marketing support.
He is expected to contest the legal challenge.
The UKIPO tribunal will now consider the rival claims, including the allegation of bad faith, the history of the franchise relationship and whether the applicants can establish the legal rights and commercial goodwill required to invalidate the trademark.
The dispute could ultimately determine who is entitled to commercially use key parts of the Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan identity in the UK — including the face that transformed a young Islamabad tea seller into an internationally recognised brand.
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