Fair trade regulator MRTPC today gave its judgement on the ongoing advertisement war between DTH players TataSky and Dish TV, a development both sides felt was in their favour.
Although the two sides kept waiting for the formal order till evening, legal teams interpreted the observations made by the Bench headed by Justice O P Dwivedi as their victory.
It is learnt that the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission observed that TataSky's petition against Dish TV was not maintainable, but at the same time upheld a complaint by a consumer named Hari Shankar, following which a temporary injunction has been passed on Dish TV's advertisements.
MRTPC is understood to have have restrained Dish TV through a temporary injunction from representing in any media that set-top-boxes comes free of cost/rental without indicating the scheme under which set-top-box is being given free.
Also, the temporary injunction would remain in force till the conclusion of inquiry conducted by the commission, unless vacated earlier.
At the same time, the commission also made it clear that the relief was being given on the application of Hari Shankar and a consumer organisation and not on the behest of TataSky, the rival trader of respondent (Dish TV), and complaint is not maintainable.
TataSky along with Harishanker had approached MRTPC in June this year to restrain Dish TV advertisement campaign claiming free set-top-boxes.
It alleged that Dish TV was using deceptive tactics as set-top-boxes were free in its only one scheme of Rs 3,990.
