Mumbai HC dismisses Videocon's appeal in Whirlpool case

The Mumbai High Court has dismissed Videocon Insdustries Ltd’s appeal against an injunction order that restrained it from selling its Pebble brand of washing machines. Rival Whirlpool of India Ltd had filed a suit in the Mumbai High Court, saying Videocon's Pebble brand was an imitation of its Ace model.

The Mumbai High Court in an order dated July 25 had restrained Videocon from selling the Pebble washing machines. Videocon had appealed against the order.

“Employing the test of being solely judged by eye, the court found both machines to be extremely similar. It was observed the shape and configuration of Whirlpool's washing machine can be clearly seen in the machine marketed by Videocon,” Whirlpool said in a statement.

Whirlpool had launched its Ace semi-automatic washing machine in September 2010. Videocon, on the other hand, had launched its Pebble semi-automatic washing machine this June. Trade sources say Ace was priced at Rs 6,000, while Pebble was priced at Rs 5,000.

"It was established Videocon had infringed a registered design (Nos. 223833 and 223835), which was granted in favour of Whirlpool of India, a subsidiary of Whirlpool Corp," the company said.

Venugopal Dhoot, chairman, Videocon Industries, could not be immediately reached for his comments. In an earlier conversation with Business Standard, Dhoot had said Pebble constituted just one per cent of sales within its consumer durables business.