P&G goes to court again; says HUL still playing dirty

The makers of Tide detergent have once again dragged Hindustan Unilever, which makes Rin detergent, to the court alleging that the rival was still playing dirty.

Global FMCG giant Procter and Gamble, which makes Tide, is contending that a new TV commercial by HUL that offers Rs one crore prize money to consumers who prove any other detergent to be superior to Rin has elements similar to the ad it pulled out last month after a court order.

The Calcutta High Court had last month restrained HUL from telecasting the Rin ad, as it appeared to be mocking Tide.

P&G's latest petition, filed before the Calcutta High Court last week, seeks to hold HUL in contempt of court. It will come up for hearing on April 21.
    
HUL has, however, claimed that its new ad 'Rin safedi ki challenge' did not violate the court order.
    
"We respect the court order and we are in full compliance with the same. As the matter is sub-judice, we cannot comment on this," a HUL spokesperson said.
    
"We have filed a petition for contempt of court against HUL based on their new Rin commercial showcasing several similar elements as aired in their earlier disparaging advertisement which was ordered to be taken off air by the Calcutta High Court in an ad interim proceedings," a Procter and Gamble spokesperson said.