LAKHANPAL NATIONAL LTD. vs M.R.T.P. COMMISSION AND ANOTHER

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of unfair trade practices under Section 36A(1)(i) and (v) of the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969, holding that the appellant company misled consumers by falsely advertising its 'Novino' Batteries as being manufactured in collaboration with National Panasonic, despite the actual collaboration being with Mitsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. The Court emphasized that the use of well-known brand names in advertisements could mislead a reasonable person, thereby constituting an unfair trade practice. The appeal was allowed, overturning the Commission's findings against the company.