Rich Energy, the title sponsor of the Haas Formula 1 team, has lost a legal battle over its stag logo after being ad𓆏judged to have copied the design of a bicycle company.

Rich Eneꦯrgy became the title sponsor of Haas ahead of the 2019 season after an unsuccℱessful attempt by owner William Storey to buy the old Force India operation midway through 2018.

However, the energy drink company has been fighting a legal battle against Whyte Bikes after being accused of copying its sta🍃g logo, with the case being ruꦚled on at the High Court in London on Tuesday.

Whyte Bikes sought as part of the copyright infringement claim for  "the removal of the logo of the First Defendant, Rich Energy Limited, from the Formul꧃a 1 race car and website of the Rich Energy Haas Formula 1 motor ra💜cing team," as per the judge's report.

Judge Melissa Clarke said that both Storey and Sean Kelly - the founder of StaxoW♒eb Ltd where the design ori🦂ginated - were "poor witnesses" and had "misled" the court, having claimed they were not aware of the Whyte Bikes logo.

"I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that both Mr Kelly and Mr Storey have l𝓡ied about not being familiar with C’s Device [Whyte's logo]," Clarke said in her fina𝄹l report.

"I find it more likely than not that they were familiar with it, and that they directly and knowingly copied C’s Deꦚvice in designing D1’s Device [Rich Energy logo]."

The Hastings-based Whyte Bikes is now entitled to an injunction and 🅺damages, as well as a declaration of invalidity. Rich Energy is entitled to appeal, with matters being adjourned until a hear🐓ing on June 27.

Following th🦩e judgement, Rich Energy released the following statement:

"Rich Energy are considering to appeal a decision to change their existing logo after a United Kingdom court🔯 ruling declared its need to change," it reads.

"The now well-known branding of Rich Energy has been under scrutiny since the brand launched itself as a title sponsor within the global platform of Formula One. With over a billion people now watching the Rich Energy brand, the p♎otential requirement to change its logo will not change the company’s future programs.

"Whilst the initial judgement is disappointing, and only applies to the Unꦗited Kingdom, Rich Energy 💯will now focus on its strong sales growth and commitment to delivering its premium product to current and new markets.

"William Storey CEO of Rich Energy said: 'I am disappointed 🦩in the ruling and felt the material facts speak for themselves, however this is a blip and won’t distract us from the tremendous progress being made. We are considering our legal options, including appeal, we will not allow it to become a distraction'."

Haas F1 had no fur🍬ther comment to offer beyond Rich Energy's statement.