Supreme Court Slams Liquor Tetra Packs as 'Deceptive' and 'Dangerous'

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The Supreme Court has expressed strong concerns over the sale of liquor in tetra packs, labeling them as 'dangerous' and 'deceptive'. The court was hearing a trademark dispute between two major liquor companies, John Distilleries Pvt Ltd and Allied Blenders and Distilleries Pvt Ltd. During the hearing, the bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi was taken aback by the packaging of the liquor, with Justice Kant remarking, "What is this packet? Juice." The court questioned the government's decision to permit the sale of liquor in tetra packs, which they felt could be easily mistaken for juice and pose a risk, especially to children. The court has appointed former judge L Nageswara Rao as a mediator to settle the dispute between the two companies, which have a significant share in the country's whisky market. The bench has also requested the mediator to prioritize the issue and conclude a settlement at the earliest. The dispute between the two companies dates back to a trademark case, where John Distilleries challenged the Madras High Court's order favoring Allied Blenders. The high court had ruled that John Distilleries' trademark 'Original Choice' was deceptively similar to Allied Blenders' 'Officer's Choice' mark. The Supreme Court's intervention has raised concerns over the sale of liquor in tetra packs, with the bench emphasizing the seriousness of the issue. The court's decision is expected to have significant implications for the liquor industry in India.