ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has imposed a penalty of Rs4.25 million on seven fabric and packaging companies for deceptive marketing practices and fraudulently using the registered trademark of ShajarPak (Pvt) Limited, a fabric manufacturer.

ShajarPak complained to CCP that eight companies including five fabric manufacturers — Ahmad Pasha Collection, Aamir Cloth House, M. Ramzan Fabrics, Pasha the Designer Fabrics, Sufi Cloth House — and three packaging manufacturers — Baba Plastic, Ahmad Plastic and Dabba House, and Kausar Brother Plastic Corner – were falsely using its registered trademark ‘Pasha Fabrics’ on the packaging and labelling of their products.

ShajarPak further said that the unauthorised and fraudulent use of its trademark by these companies was harming its business interest and deceiving consumers.

CCP’s enquiry established that ShajarPak had not authorised any of the above companies to use its trademark.

By copying the trademark and trade dress, these companies were deceiving consumers and harming the business interest of ShajarPak in violation of Section 10 of the Competition Act, 2010. Show cause notices were issued to all of them on the recommendation of the enquiry report.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2018