After a decade of hearings Colombo commercials high courts ruled in favor of The Swadeshi Industries for the ownership of Apsara Venivel Ayurvedic Beauty Soap. Swadeshi Industries, leading manufacturer of many beauty care brands in the country launched ayurvedic skin care soap “Apsara Venivel” in year 2000. Within a very short period of time “Apsara Venivel” received popularity from the people. Taking advantage of the popularity of the product Vendol Lanka Company (Pvt) Ltd, started to market a soap with the same name Apsara Venivel in an identical pack.
The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC filed a case against Vendol Lanka Company (Pvt) Ltd. for imitating their Apsara Venivel on the year 2000 and applied an injunction order in the year 2000 against Vendol Lanka (Pvt) Ltd to prevent marketing and distribution of the imitated “Apsara Venivel”. At the request court ruled ordered the accused an injunction order not to manufacture or market the product until the case is heard. After considering the evidence of the case High Court judge Mr. Mahinda Samayawardena ruled that The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC is entitled to the ownership of the trade mark “Apsara Venivel” on 26th June 2012.
Chairperson of The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC said; “During the proud history of our company we have introduced many new products to our customers. Each and every product was launched after many research done. “Apsara Venivel” is the only beauty soap certified by the Indian Ayurvedic Academy and that is enriched with Venivel. We consider the court order has protected our legacy and consumers as well.“
The pioneer and market leader in herbal personal care products in Sri Lanka, The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, introduced Apsara Venivel in 2000. Apsara Venivel is enriched with Venivel – a good cleansing agent, Turmeric – to maintain a glowing skin, Aloe vera to maintain the moisture of the skin and Kokum which act as a softening agent. The company manufactures and markets many leading brands including the No. 01 herbal soap brand Khomba Herbal and the heritage beauty soap brand Rani Sandalwood.
Mr. Prasanna Jayawardene with Mr. Kavinda Dias Abeysinghe and Ms. Anisha Yasaratne instructed by Mr. Mahinda Wickramaratne for the Plaintiff and Mr. Gamini Marapana, P.C., with Mr. Dinal Philips, P.C., and Mr. Navin Marapana instructed by Paul Ratnayake Associates for the Defendants.
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