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MRTPC reserves judgement on Dish TV-Tata Sky case

Indiantelevision.com Team

(11 July 2008 8:30 pm)

MUMBAI: Fair trade regulator Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission (MRTPC) has reserved its judgement over a case of misleading advertisement between direct-to-home service providers Tata Sky and Dish TV.

The MRTPC has reserved the judgement after directing both the parties to submit additional documents in this regard, reports PTI.

Tata Sky counsels alleged that Dish TV's advertisement which features Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan offering free set-top boxes (STB), was misleading and deceptive.

"We could not have any legal objection in giving free STB but they should give correct information and should clarify the facts that it was free. The whole motto of Dish TV's campaign is to attract by giving wrong information," alleged Tata Sky's counsel, adding that it was free only in Rs 3,990 scheme.

The counsel further added the TV ad never clearly mentioned that free STB was only in Rs 3,990 scheme. It represents a 'half truth' of facts, which was an unfair trade practise under the MRTPC Act, 1969.

This was vehemently opposed by Dish TV counsel on the grounds that their rival Tata Sky has no 'locus standi' to file this case.

"Business rivals has no locus standi to file case (at MRTPC). Moreover, in our advertisements we have not compared our product with Tata Sky or shown them as underplayed or there is a disparagement," submitted Dish TV's counsel.

On Tata Sky's allegation that in its advertisement Dish TV has highlighted 'free STB' word and other operative portions were not properly highlighted, Dish TV side retorted, "should we get our advertisement cleared by our business rivals".