Delhi HC rejects Reckitt Benkiser's claims against Wyeth

The Delhi high court has rejected FMCG company Reckitt Benkiser's petition alleging that global drugmaker Wyeth had copied its design used in the hair removing cream, `Veet Spatula'. The court also slapped a Rs25,000 fine on the company towards litigation costs.

Justice B D Ahmed of the single-member bench while disposing of the petition also vacated the interim stay granted in January 2007 restraining Wyeth from using the design for its own cream 'Anne French.'

Reckitt Benckiser contended that Wyeth had copied the large S-shape design of its product 'Veet Spatula' for its Anne French cream as the design can be easily replicated and the product also falls in the same category.

Wyeth countered the contention saying that such designs were already in existence in some other countries prior to its registration in India.

Reckitt Benckiser plc, based in Slough, near London, manufactures and markets home, health and personal care products. The company operates in over 60 countries with 42 manufacturing facilities and markets in nearly 200 countries.

The company is focused on 17 of the company's most profitable brands, which contributed 62 per cent of net revenues in 2008. These 'power brands' include Finish, Vanish, Calgonite, Air Wick, Dettol, Gavison, Veet, Clearasil and Nurofen.