Financial Times

DPMC wins cricket advertisement case
The Commercial High Court of the Western Province recently ruled in favour of David Pieris Motor Company (DPMC), which was accused of infringement by the International Cricket Council Development (ICC, International) limited.

The ICC (International) accused DPMC of using the ICC knock out tournament, which was sponsored by Hero Honda, for advertising the Bajaj motorcycles line.
DPMC offered special gifts for Bajaj motorcycles bought during the period of the tournament held during September and October 2002. The ICC, claiming exclusivity to the event, had warned DPMC of severe repercussions if they did not withdraw the advertising campaign.

Subsequent to the warnings DPMC responded saying that there was no violation of anyone's rights and that as far as it was aware no one had exclusive rights to images of bats, balls, bails and the national flag of any country.

After what it called the ICC's "contemptuous reply", which questioned the company's comprehension of the English language, DPMC filed for a declaration of non-infringement through the Commercial High Court of the Western Province. The judgement thereafter was in favour of DPMC.

Back to Business