Malabar Gold & Diamonds, 'the 6th largest jewellery retailer globally with 317 retail outlets across the Middle East, the Far East, the US and India', has won a major legal battle against brand impersonation in Islamabad, Pakistan,' according to a statement issued Sunday in Doha by the brand.
"The case was filed by the brand against Muhammad Faizan, a Pakistani national, who was operating a jewellery store illegally in the name of Malabar Gold & Diamonds in Islamabad, Pakistan. In addition to using the brand name and other trademarks of Malabar Gold & Diamonds to operate his jewellery store, Faizan also managed social media pages in Pakistan using the brand name, brand ambassadors, and product images of Malabar Gold & Diamonds," the statement explained.
"Upon the filing of the civil case by the legal team of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the Pakistani court immediately ordered that all 'Malabar Gold & Diamonds' sign boards be taken down and to stop all usage of the brand name and trademarks. As the accused refused to abide by the court orders, Malabar Gold & Diamonds filed a contempt petition in court, resulting in the accused being arrested, imprisoned, and presented in the court," the statement said.
"Since imprisonment was an assured outcome of the civil case, Faizan approached Malabar Gold & Diamonds for a settlement and subsequent agreement to the conditions put forth by the brand. This included the withdrawal of the trademark application filed by the accused for registering ‘Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ under his name, and publishing confession and declaration in all editions of major English and Urdu newspapers chosen by Malabar Gold & Diamonds; all of which Faizan agreed to and complied," the statement said.
Malabar Group chairman, M P Ahammed, added: “Ours is a business that has been established on the foundation of trust. The brand value that we have painstakingly built over the years is very dear to us and any attempts to exploit the goodwill and reputation of the brand will be prevented. I sincerely assure our loyal customers that as is evident from this case, Malabar Gold & Diamonds will do all that is possible to prevent and discourage any such activities to protect the trust placed in us by our customers.”
