Urban Company sues Kent in Delhi High Court over product delisting from e-commerce sites

Urban Company has filed a suit before the Delhi High Court against Kent RO Systems, alleging that the latter asked Amazon and Flipkart to get its products delisted from the e-commerce platforms [Urbanclap Technologies India Vs Kent RO Systems].Justice Mini Pushkarna today adjourned the case to January 21 after the counsel representing Kent sought time to seek instructions and bring an amicable solution to the matter..Urban Company is an online platform that connects customers with professionals in various categories. In 2023, the company also introduced its Native Water Purifier series.Kent RO Systems specializes in manufacturing water purifiers utilizing reverse osmosis (RO) technology.These two companies have been engaged in a patent dispute over the water purifier since 2024, with Kent alleging that Urban Company is using its patented technology in the water purifier being sold by it.While the High Court issued summons in the suit moved by Kent last year, it did not grant any interim injunction restraining Urban Company from using the technology. .Senior Advocate Amit Sibal, who appeared for the Urban Company, today argued that its water purifiers were delisted in the middle of festive sales, causing them losses worth several crores of rupees. Sibal contended that though the products have now been re-listed, Urban Company anticipates that Kent would again write to these e-commerce platforms during the Republic Day sales..According to the Urban Company, Kent requested these e-commerce platforms to delist the products citing a court order. However, no such order has been issued, the Bench was told.“Delisting also leads to us losing the best seller status and position in the list of sellers of similar products,” Sibal argued..Taking the Court through Kent's communications, Sibal urged the Court to restraint Kent from writing to the e-commerce platforms..However, advocate Rajeshwari Hariharan, representing Kent, questioned the authenticity of the communications and sought time to seek instructions. The Court allowed the request.While no interim order was passed against Kent today, the single-judge mentioned that it is understood that Kent will not write to e-commerce platforms till the next date of hearing. .Sibal was briefed by advocate Aditya Gupta from Ira Law.