Karnataka High Court Dismisses Flipkart Case Against Nikon Caution Notice

Japanese camera-maker Nikon on Wednesday informed the Karnataka High Court that it has withdrawn the names of Flipkart, Snapdeal and other e-commerce portals from a notice on its website that cautioned customers to check warranty entitlements while buying its products from them.

Following the submission by Nikon India, Justice B S Patil disposed of a petition by Flipkart against the caution notice.

As the hearing resumed, the Judge sought the opinion of Nikon as to whether they were ready to withdraw the names of the portals from the notice. In response, the defence counsel said "the company's website has already withdrawn the names of Flipkart and other e-commerce portals from the caution notice hosted on its website."

NDTV Gadgets, however, was able to access the page through the Product news section.

Seeking the opinion of petitioner Flipkart, Justice Patil asked whether it was content with the Nikon's submissions.

Flipkart counsel said "if the defendant has already withdrawn the names, we don't have any difficulties with that", following which the Judge said the "case doesn't stand merit for further legal battle" and disposed of it.

Justice Patil had on Tuesday suggested Nikon to withdraw the names of Flipkart and Snapdeal from a caution notice so as to avoid prolonged legal battle.

The counsel for Nikon India had submitted that he would consult the company following which the matter was adjourned to Wednesday.

The Flipkart case against Nikon India was filed on August 3, 2015, the matter pertained to a June 16, 2014 notice on Nikon India website which reads: "Please note that E-commerce websites like FLIPKART (Flipkart Internet Private Ltd, WS Retail Services Pvt. Ltd), SNAPDEAL (Jasper Infotech Private Limited) are not our authorised partner/dealer in India for Nikon Products, we advise you to check the warranty entitlements while buying from online portals."

Last year, Snapdeal had moved the Delhi High Court and forced Kaff, kitchen appliances maker, to withdraw a similar caution notice warning customers to check the warranty entitlements of the products sold online.

Written with inputs from PTI