The Rise of Drafto
Drafto started as a simple yet powerful vision—an app that would allow small business owners to create high-quality posters and graphics for free. Founded by two childhood friends, Ashwani Sharma and Manohar Das, Drafto quickly gained popularity among users who could not afford premium design tools. Within just two months, the app surpassed 2 lakh downloads, proving its immense value in the market. However, this rapid success drew unwanted attention from established players like Kutumb , who viewed Drafto as a direct threat to their subscription-based business model. What followed was a calculated series of attacks aimed at eliminating Drafto from the competition.
Legal Hurdles and Trademark Disputes
The first strike against Drafto came in the form of a trademark infringement notice. Kutumb alleged that Drafto was a clone of their app, despite Ashwani and Manohar developing the platform independently. The accusation was baseless, but legal battles required money, and the two friends had limited resources. While they were willing to rebrand to avoid conflict, they were not prepared for what came next. On the day of Holi, instead of granting them time to change the app’s name, Kutumb pushed for an immediate takedown. This aggressive move made it clear that the larger corporation was not seeking fairness but rather the complete removal of Drafto from the market.
The Digital Assault on Drafto
As Ashwani and Manohar tried to find a solution, Kutumb escalated its tactics. The company’s legal team began filing copyright claims against Drafto across multiple platforms, leading to YouTube video takedowns and an increase in negative reports on the Play Store. The app, once celebrated for empowering small businesses, was now under attack through fabricated allegations. The duo found themselves fighting a battle on multiple fronts—legal, technical, and reputational. Without a proper legal team to counter these claims, Drafto became increasingly vulnerable. The unfair targeting of a rising startup by an established company highlighted the challenges small innovators face in the tech industry.
The Final Blow – Play Store Suspension
Despite the struggles, Ashwani and Manohar refused to back down. They complied with every request and worked tirelessly to maintain Drafto’s presence. However, Kutumb played its final card by filing a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) complaint with Google. On March 17, 2025, Drafto was suspended from the Play Store under alleged copyright infringement—claims that Ashwani and Manohar firmly believe to be false. Unlike in India, where legal battles are drawn out, global tech giants like Google act swiftly on DMCA complaints, often without verifying their legitimacy. This led to Drafto’s abrupt removal, leaving its founders and thousands of users in shock.
The Fight for Justice
The suspension of Drafto was not just a setback for its founders but also for small business owners who relied on the app. Ashwani and Manohar knew they couldn’t fight this battle alone. While large corporations have the money and influence to manipulate the system, startups depend on the power of community support. With legal fees beyond their reach, they turned to fellow entrepreneurs, developers, and industry experts for guidance. Their story resonated with many, shedding light on the unfair dominance of big players who use legal loopholes to crush emerging competition. The fight was no longer just about one app—it became about standing up for innovation and fairness in the digital world.
The Road Ahead for Drafto
Despite the immense challenges, Ashwani and Manohar remain determined to bring Drafto back. They are actively seeking legal assistance, startup community backing, and media coverage to challenge this unjust takedown. The tech industry thrives on innovation, and stifling new ideas through legal intimidation is a threat to progress. If Drafto can return, it will not only mark a victory for its founders but also serve as a lesson for aspiring entrepreneurs facing similar challenges. As Ashwani puts it, “This battle is far from over.” With resilience, support, and unwavering determination, Drafto’s story is still being written.
