6 months ago
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Patanjali Foods Limited has filed a commercialized suit successful the Bombay High Court against a YouTube transmission for allegedly publishing a “false and defamatory” video claiming its Nutrela Soya Chunks failed information tests. The institution has sought urgent relief, including removal of the video and damages amounting to ₹15.5 crore.
The video, titled “Nutrela Soya Chunks Lab Test Report II First Time connected YouTube – Pass or Fail??”, was uploaded connected December 29, 2024 by the transmission Trustified.
The video claims that the merchandise exceeded the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) Maximum Residue Limit for pesticides specified arsenic Carbendazim and Benomyl, the petition said. Patanjali has described these allegations arsenic categorically false, asserting that its product complies with all FSSAI norms and citing autarkic laboratory reports to enactment its claim.
The suit names Arpit Trustified Certification, Trustified Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Google LLC, which owns YouTube, and others arsenic defendants.
Patanjali argues that the video was uploaded with the sole intent to tarnish and capitalise upon the popularity of its marque and has caused reputational harm and concern losses. The institution has asked the tribunal to assistance a imperishable injunction restraining the defendants from publishing oregon circulating immoderate contented that disparages its products, on with contiguous takedown of the impugned video and directions to intermediaries to forestall further uploads of akin content.
In summation to injunctive relief, Patanjali has claimed ₹10.5 crore for nonaccomplishment of estimation and concern disruption and ₹5 crore arsenic peculiar damages for wounded to the brand, valuing the suit astatine ₹15.5 crore.
The petition invokes provisions of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and the Code of Civil Procedure, alleging trademark infringement and commercialized disparagement. It states that the trademark “Nutrela”, first registered successful 1977 nether Class 30, is valid till November 2035 and has acquired the presumption of a well-known mark. The institution cites nationwide reputation, advertizing spends exceeding ₹73 crore successful 2024–25, and income turnover of ₹406 crore for Nutrela Soya Chunks alone. The plea besides includes a storyboard of the video transcript and screenshots of spectator comments showing a negative impact connected brand perception.
Appearing for Patanjali, advocator Apoorv Srivastava argued that the allegations are baseless and misleading and urged for urgent interim relief. Justice Sharmila U. Deshmukh connected Thursday said the substance volition beryllium heard astatine magnitude connected Monday, December 22.
