Sebamed’s entire campaign, based on the pH value of soap and compared it to Dove, Pears, and Lux was ruled disparaging by the Hon’ble Bombay High Court. The Court issued an injunction prohibiting Sebamed from airing the advertisement in any way in its decision on the application.
The ruling confirms that Sebamed’s advertising campaign disparaged HUL’s brands and misled consumers based on pH, which is just one of many factors that go into soap manufacturing.
HUL confirmed the news and expressed gratitude for the order.
“We are delighted with the Hon’ble High Court’s ruling, which observed that Sebamed’s campaign unfairly seeks to discredit HUL soap brands, and thus, HUL deserves protection,” said Dev Bajpai, Executive Director, Legal & Corporate Affairs, HUL. We also found this campaign to be highly irresponsible. Such a deceptive message was issued during the pandemic when the government and health authorities recommended handwashing with soap.”
Justice A.K. Menon heard both parties long before giving this order.
Sebamed claimed in a January 2021 campaign that Dove, Lux, and Pears, well-known soap brands marketed by HUL for decades, had a higher pH, making them unsuitable for sensitive skin.
The Court has acknowledged that the purpose of the advertisement was not to promote a Sebamed product but to discourage the consumer from purchasing HUL’s products, which is illegal.
“The ruling reaffirms that Sebamed’s ad campaign denigrated HUL’s brands and misled consumers based on pH, which is just one of many parameters that go into making soap,” HUL added.
“We are delighted with the Hon’ble High Court’s ruling, which observed that Sebamed’s campaign unfairly seeks to discredit HUL soap brands, and thus, HUL deserves protection,” said Dev Bajpai, Executive Director, Legal & Corporate Affairs, HUL. We also found this campaign to be highly irresponsible. Such a deceptive message was issued during the pandemic when the government and health authorities recommended handwashing with soap.”
Sebamed claimed in a January 2021 campaign that Dove, Lux, and Pears, well-known soap brands marketed by HUL for decades, had a higher pH, making them unsuitable for sensitive skin.
The Court has acknowledged that the purpose of the advertisement was not to promote a Sebamed product but to discourage the consumer from purchasing HUL’s products–which is not permissible, according to HUL.
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