Apple’s much hyped smartphone iPhone X is facing a lawsuit even before it’s launch. A Japanese software company emonster k.k., is suing the technology giant Apple over the trademark for the term “Animoji.” Tokyo based Emonster has filed the lawsuit alleging the US technology company stole the name to be used on a feature of its iPhoneX phone.
According to the lawsuit lodged with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Emonster’s Chief Executive Officer Enrique Bonansea registered a trademark for his texting app Animoji in 2014. The lawsuit also claims,“Apple decided to take the name and pretend to the world that ‘Animoji’ was original to Apple.”
Emonster’s app Animoji – Free Animated Texting (Patent Pending) is available on the iOS App Store for $ 0.99. The app is described as a “fast, free and easy to use tool to animate your text and email messages.” Calling it a willful and deliberate trademark infringement, Emonster alleges the company made the conscious decision to try to pilfer the name for itself. Enrique Bonansea was also reportedly approached by a series of companies to buy the trademark. The company also claims they were even “threatened to file a cancellation proceeding if Bonansea did not sell the mark.”
Emonster Inc., however, did not exist at the time of the original trademark filing because Bonansea lived in Seattle prior to moving to Japan. But, the suit points out, when the mark was first filed, the now dissolved “emonster Inc.,” and current Japanese corporation, “emonster k.k.,” acted as a single commercial enterprise. Therefore, emonster k.k., has reapplied for the “Animoji” trademark on September 12, 2017, using the app’s 2014 launch data as a basis for registration. Apple announced the latest tech which brought the emojis to life using the TrueDepth camera in the iPhoneX. Customers can record and send Animoji messages using the pre installed iMessage app. Apple’s animoji feature uses an A11 Bionic camera to analyze over 50 facial muscle movements to animate them to a dozen different “Animojis.” The iPhoneX, priced at $ 999, is scheduled to be released in November while prebooking will begin in the last week of October.
PhonePe’s PINCODE app has launched a 24×7 online medicine delivery service in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Pune, promising delivery of both prescription and over-the-counter medicines within 10 minutes from nearby local medical shops. Unlike conventional e-pharmacies that use dark stores, PINCODE partners exclusively with neighborhood pharmacies, enabling faster deliveries and supporting local businesses in the digital economy.
Customers without prescriptions can select a “no prescription” option when ordering; a qualified doctor then provides a free teleconsultation and issues a digital prescription compliant with telemedicine guidelines, ensuring seamless access to medicines. The app offers competitive pricing by passing discounts from local pharmacies directly to customers and charges no delivery fees.
PINCODE’s hyperlocal model enhances healthcare accessibility and convenience while empowering local pharmacies, helping them remain integral to their communities and stimulating local economic growth. Launched in 2023, the app focuses on quick commerce with an emphasis on speed, reliability, and supporting local sellers.
In summary, PhonePe’s PINCODE app is transforming medicine delivery in major Indian cities by combining ultra-fast 10-minute delivery, free doctor consultations, and a hyperlocal sourcing model that benefits both consumers and neighborhood pharmacies.
Cashfree Payments has appointed Piyush Anchliya as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective April 15, 2025. Anchliya brings over 15 years of experience in investment banking, corporate finance, strategy, and mergers and acquisitions, with senior roles at Barclays, Bandhan Group, and most recently as CFO of Bandhan AMC. He holds an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and a B.Tech. from IIT Kharagpur.
In his new role, Anchliya will lead Cashfree’s financial strategy, optimize operations, and support the company’s next growth phase. He will report to CEO and Co-founder Akash Sinha, who highlighted Anchliya’s expertise as vital for sustainable scaling and strengthening the company’s financial foundation. Anchliya succeeds outgoing CFO Vikas Guru, who will assist during the transition.
Founded in 2015, Cashfree Payments processes over $80 billion annually for more than 800,000 businesses. The company recently raised $53 million in funding led by KRAFTON and Apis Growth Fund II and secured key RBI licenses, positioning it for accelerated growth in India’s fintech sector. Anchliya’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as Cashfree aims to expand its leadership in digital payments.
Jeyandran Venugopal, the outgoing Chief Product and Technology Officer of Flipkart, is set to become the CEO of Reliance Retail Ventures (RRV), the retail arm of Reliance Industries. His appointment, expected to be finalized in May after his exit from Flipkart, signals Reliance’s push to strengthen its retail business with a technology-first approach.
Venugopal brings extensive experience from leading roles at Flipkart, Myntra, Yahoo, Snapdeal, and Amazon, where he focused on scaling technology platforms and driving innovation. At Flipkart, he managed product, engineering, data science, and more, helping build robust systems and improve user experience.
His move comes as Reliance Retail undergoes transformation, including cost-cutting and a renewed focus on digital growth. Venugopal’s leadership is expected to accelerate Reliance’s ambitions in omnichannel and tech-driven retail, positioning the company for continued dominance in India’s evolving market.