Karnataka HC disposes of case against Nikon after it removes Flipkart’s name from caution notice

Karnataka High Court has reportedly disposed of the Petition by Flipkart after Japanese camera maker- Nikon withdrew the names of Flipkart, Snapdeal and other e-commerce portals from the caution notice on its website. This notice had cautioned customers to check warranty entitlements, before buying products from the online retailers.

The Court had earlier suggested Nikon to withdraw the names of the online portals from the notice on its website, so as to avoid lengthened legal battle. The camera maker will now replace it with a general caution notice without any reference to any particular company.

Flipkart had complained against a notice on the Nikon Website, dated June 16, 2015, which read, “Please note that E-commerce websites like FLIPKART (Flipkart Internet Private Ltd, WS Retail Services Pvt. Ltd), SNAPDEAL (Jasper Infotech Private Limited) are not our authorized partner/dealer in India for Nikon Products, we advise you to check the warranty entitlements while buying from online portals.”

It had hence contended before the Court: “They have singled us out and they cannot make such statements.” The marketplace pointed out that Nikon India’s caution notice dated June 16, 2014, said that ecommerce websites like Flipkart, Snapdeal are not their authorized partner/dealer and consumers need to check the warranty entitlements while buying from online portals.”

The suit was filed in the LXIII Additional City Civil and Sessions Court Bengaluru seeking a permanent injunction, restraining Nikon from publishing any material that is derogatory, defamatory and untrue statements and would have an adverse influence to their business.

After the refusal of the trial court to grant an ex-parte injunction, an appeal was filed in the Karnataka high court by Flipkart on August 3.