On October 29, 2024, The Delhi High Court in a suit filed by Marico Limited, restrained Alpino Health Foods Private Limited, which is backed by Shilpa Shetty, from publishing and circulating its advertisements which are disparaging “OATS” as a category of goods.
Marico had filed a suit against Alpino alleging generic disparagement by an advertisement campaign being run by Alpino for its ‘Alpino Super Oats’.
As per Marico, the advertisement campaign, which comprises of an audio-visual advertisement and social media posts, was targeting “OATS” as a food category and was deliberately calling them bad, inedible, disgusting and not fit for human consumption.
Therefore, Marico alleged that Alpino’s advertisement campaign was causing generic disparagement of “OATS” as a category of goods, of which their oats under the brand “Saffola” are the market leaders.
The Delhi High Court after noting the submissions made by Marico, restrained Alpino vide an ad-interim injunction order from publishing the advertisements, which are disparaging “OATS” as a category of food.
Marico Limited was represented by Chander M Lall, Senior Advocate along with the team of Khaitan & Co, led by Ankur Sangal (Partner), with his team members Pragya Mishra (Principal Associate), Raghu Vinayak Sinha (Senior Associate), Kiratraj Sadana (Associate) and Shaurya Pandey (Associate).
The order was pronounced by Justice Mini Pushkarna.
The matter is now listed on March 19, 2025.
