The Delhi high court has restrained Hindustan Unilever Ltd. from publishing or airing its Vim liquid dishwash advertisement that disparages Reckitt Benckiser's (RB) brand Dettol and Dettol Healthy Kitchen. RB had filed a suit for commercial disparagement seeking an interim injunction to restrain HUL from publishing the advertisement which, the company felt, disparaged the goodwill and reputation of Dettol. Dettol is a leading antiseptic liquid brand with a market share of around 85%,which recently entered the dish and slab gel segment in competition with Vim liquid dishwash. Vim belongs to HUL and is a leader in this category. Earlier in 2013,RB unveiled an ad campaign comparing Dettol Healthy Kitchen's germ kill capabilities to HUL's Vim liquid dishwash. This prompted HUL to file a suit against RB on the 'disparagement' caused by this advertisement before the Kolkata high court. The court passed a consent order, allowing RB to continue with the advertisements subject to small variations. Later, when HUL launched the 'harsh antiseptic.' advertisement in question, RB contended that an attempt was made to misrepresent to the consumers that its Dettol antiseptic liquid and Dettol Healthy Kitchen have the same ingredients. The company told the court that this advertisement was outside the parameters of allowed competitive advertising and 'blatantly denigrates the reputation and goodwill' of Dettol. HUL, however, submitted that the ad was in line with the principles as postulated by Advertising Standards Council of India. In its reply to the court, HUL denied that the said advertisement made any reference to Dettol Healthy Kitchen dish and slab gel. It submitted that the advertising campaign only sought to inform the consumers harsh antiseptics were not fit for cleaning utensils. The court, in its interim order dated May 14,2013 (a copy of which is with TOI),observed that the impugned advertisement subtly yet certainly targets brand Dettol and Dettol Healthy Kitchen. The court observed it is common knowledge that brand Dettol is synonymous with the term antiseptic. Relying on earlier cases, the court observed that while glorifying its product, an advertiser may not denigrate or disparage arival product.

Hindustan Unilever Ltd., Board Meeting, May 03, 2013. Agenda: To consider voluntary open offer for acquisition of 22.52% of the voting share capital of the company, made by Unilever PLC along with Unilever NV in its capacity as person acting in concert with the acquirer.

Hindustan Unilever Ltd. reported earnings results for the fourth quarter ended March 2013. For the quarter, the company reported a 14.6% year-on-year increase in net profits at INR 7,870 million for the March quarter. The company's profit before before interest and tax 17.3% year-on-year to INR 9,103.5 million for the same period last year. The company saw its net sales grow 12.5% to INR 63,671 million from INR 56,600 million in the corresponding period last year.