Urban Company sues Kent RO in Delhi HC over ‘misleading’ ads targeting Native water purifiers

New Delhi, Aug 23 (AHN) Urban Company on Sunday filed a defamation and disparagement suit against Kent RO Systems before the Delhi High Court, alleging that advertisements and social media posts by the company made false and misleading claims about its Native water purifiers.

According to an exchange filing, Urban Company filed the suit on August 11, alleging that Kent RO's advertising campaign targeted the two-year filter life and two-year service life features of its Native M0, M1, M2, M1 Pro and M2 Pro water purifiers.

Urban Company said Kent RO's advertisements described the features as a “marketing gimmick” and claimed that using Native water purifiers was “unsafe” and “risky” for consumers.

The matter came up before the Delhi High Court on August 12. Following the hearing, Kent RO informed the court that it would withdraw the advertisements that were the subject of the lawsuit.

Kent RO also told the court that it would not publish or run other advertisements or promotional material making the same or similar claims about water purifiers offering a two-year filter life or a two-year no-servicing feature in a manner that disparages Urban Company, according to the exchange filing.

Urban Company said Kent RO has been directed to remove the advertisements and social media content within 15 days from August 12.

The Delhi High Court passed the order on August 12, although it was published on the court's website on August 22.

The dispute is part of a broader legal battle between the two companies. Urban Company said other matters remain sub judice, including a patent infringement suit filed by Kent RO and Urban Company's counterclaim against Kent RO's patent.

Urban Company has also filed a separate tortious interference suit against Kent RO, adding to the ongoing legal disputes between the two companies.

The latest development comes as Urban Company's stock has continued to see significant movement in the market. Its shares closed 8.19 per cent higher at Rs 157.41 on Friday, ahead of the company's disclosure.

The stock has gained nearly 20 per cent so far this year, although it has delivered a negative return of around 6 per cent over the past 12 months.