Hindustan Unilever cracks down on counterfeits with IPR cases

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Apr 24, 2019

Fast-moving consumer goods business Hindustan Unilever averaged two intellectual property rights cases a week in the 2019 financial year and is cracking down on brands using similar packaging or logos.

Hindustan Unilever has filed 90 IPR cases from January to March 2019, ET Bureau reported. Most cases were filed at the Bombay High Court and they signify the business’ focus on cracking down on counterfeits. 

“We have shifted our focus on actions resulting in value impact and started directing our efforts more on curtailing counterfeits at manufacturing and filling points than on the retail trade alone,” Dev Bajpai, the executive director of legal and corporate affairs at Hindustan Unilever, told ET Bureau. “This has resulted in curbing counterfeit trade at the source.”

One case filed by Hindustan Unilever last month was against Glint Cosmetics for retailing products named “Fasaline” and “Fair & Life” which the business alleged violated the IPR of its products “Vaseline” and “Fair & Lovely”. The business also filed an IPR case against Mahadev Soap Factory for using similar packaging designs. 

Although Hindustan Unilever has filed almost eight times as many cases this year so far as in 2018 as a whole, the business’ crusade against counterfeits is nothing new. As far back as six years ago, Hindustan Unilever set up a team of 20 brand protection specialists to work in five cities to track down IPR violations. 

Hindustan Unilever is currently working with the Indian government to flesh out IPR regulations. This also reflects a wider trend in India’s fashion and cosmetics industries to eradicate counterfeit goods.