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Apple Sued By Japanese Software Company Over Animoji Trademark
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.
Rozana, India’s leading rural retail platform, has secured ₹290 crore ($35 million) in a Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), with participation from Omidyar Network India, Vivid Capital, and Tana Investment Holding. This Rozana funding brings its total capital to over ₹500 crore, fueling hyperlocal expansion in underserved rural markets. Founded in 2021 by brothers Prashant and Prateek Chauhan, the startup’s phygital model blends micro-stores, app-based ordering, and last-mile delivery to connect 5 million+ users in 12 states with brands like ITC and HUL.
The ₹290 crore investment will supercharge Rozana’s rural omnichannel retail strategy, targeting 5x growth in 18 months. Plans include adding 5,000 micro-stores in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan; AI-powered inventory tech; and new categories like groceries and electronics. By empowering 20,000+ rural micro-entrepreneurs, Rozana taps into India’s $700 billion rural retail boom, where smartphone penetration and UPI drive 12% annual growth.
This Rozana Series B milestone positions it as a frontrunner against rivals like Ninjacart, eyeing unicorn status by 2028 amid ONDC tailwinds. CEO Prashant Chauhan emphasized, “We’re building rural prosperity through accessible premium brands.” For more on Rozana funding news and rural retail trends, stay updated on India’s startup ecosystem.
Peak XV Partners has launched three new funds totaling $1.3 billion, targeting India’s booming startup ecosystem. The lineup features the $600M Surge fund (8th edition) for early-stage ventures, a $300M Growth Fund for Series B+ scaling, and a $400M Acceleration Fund for rapid portfolio expansion. This commitment arrives as India’s VC inflows rebound, with AI and fintech leading 2026 trends.
These funds build on Peak XV’s legacy of backing unicorns like Zomato and Pine Labs, offering founders capital plus strategic guidance amid post-winter recovery. Early-stage deals surged 20% last year per Tracxn, positioning Peak XV to fuel the next wave of innovation in SaaS, climate tech, and consumer plays.
For startups eyeing Peak XV new funds or Surge fund 2026 applications, this signals prime opportunities. Investors and marketers should watch for deployment updates India remains a global VC hotspot.
Hyderabad, January 13, 2026 Neeman’s, India’s leading D2C footwear brand famed for sustainable shoes and patented PIXLL® technology, has raised $4 million from existing investors. This funding boosts its cumulative capital past $10 million since 2015, with a post-money valuation nearing $50 million. CEO Vijay Chahoria emphasized offline retail as the “next frontier,” planning 50+ new stores in Tier 2/3 cities like Jaipur and Lucknow to blend eco-friendly innovation with hands-on customer experiences.
In India’s booming D2C ecosystem where footwear sales hit ₹1.2 lakh crore in 2025 Neeman’s targets hybrid retail amid high online CAC and 25-30% returns. Backed by vegan, machine-washable shoes priced ₹2,000-4,000, the brand leverages PIXLL® (5x more breathable than leather) for carbon-neutral comfort. Recent 5x revenue growth to ₹100 crore ARR, 1M+ pairs sold via Myntra and stores, and awards at India D2C Summit 2025 position it ahead of rivals like Paaduks.
Neeman’s offline expansion India eyes the $15B sustainable footwear market by 2028, fueled by PLI schemes, Gen Z’s 70% eco-preference (Nielsen), and Southeast Asia exports. Challenges like real estate costs are offset by data-driven inventory and omnichannel QR tech. Watch for Q1 2026 launches in Hyderabad and Bengaluru redefining D2C success through authentic, “Wear the Change” branding.
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