Delhi HC directs Bombay Shaving Company to withdraw the disputed razor ad

Court rejects proposed changes and disclaimer, objects to the commercial's courtroom setting and warns Bombay Shaving Company against republishing it in its current form.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed Bombay Shaving Company to withdraw an advertisement after taking strong exception to its depiction of a courtroom, including a judge, in a commercial featuring razors. Justice Jyoti Singh questioned the company’s justification for the sequence, observing that the advertisement amounted to an “outright mockery” of the court.

“Please don't even stand to defend this,” Justice Singh told the company’s counsel.

The dispute arises from a trademark and disparagement suit filed by Gillette India against Visage Lines Personal Care, the parent company of Bombay Shaving Company, concerning an advertisement that Gillette alleges makes references to its razors.

The matter was taken up after the court had, at the previous hearing, given the defendant an opportunity to modify the advertisement.

Advocate Prithvi Singh, appearing for Bombay Shaving Company, informed the court that several alterations had been made.