Zed Black Agarbatti Exposes Counterfeit Incense Scam in Kolkata, Urges Vigilance in the FMCG Industry at the onset of festive season

by Priya Jadhav

29th Sept, Asansol, West Bengal– In a significant breakthrough at the onset of the festive season, Madhya Pradesh based, Incense Sticks major Zed Black has successfully raided godowns engaged in the sale of fake incense sticks packaged in counterfeit materials imitating reputable brands. This operation unraveled a major scam impacting India's prayer & puja essentials market. A FIR was registered at at Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate, West Bengal yesterday post which, counterfeit goods were seized from Mohammad Hilal at Qureshi Mohalla, Asansol North & Mohammad Aslam of Shri Nagar, Asansol North from the godown of Mohammad Muktar residing in Qureshi Mohalla. 

MDPH, which is one of country’s largest manufacturers and exporters of incense sticks under its brand name Zed Black has filed various objection/litigation/complaint to protect their IP Rights. Around 1500 Notice of Oppositions before Trade Marks Registry has been lodged and also filed more than 100 Rectification Application against wrongly registered Trade Marks before Trade Marks Registry. The company has also Instituted various successful Civil Suits for Injunction and damages and lodged various successful Criminal Complaint to stop counterfeit in various states like, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh. 

Mr. Rajendra Bhansali, Attorney and Advocate of Mysore Deep Perfumery House (MDPH) shared, "MDPH has proven its commitment to combat spurious goods and counterfeiting by taking necessary aggressive legal actions in the interest of consumers. By taking this proactive approach, they aim to set a precedent that will deter future infringements and foster an environment conducive to innovation and respect for intellectual property rights". 

The incense stick market in India is growing at a rate of 7% to 8% per year. The market is estimated to be around Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 12,000 crore. 

Mr. Ankit Agrawal, Director, Mysore Deep Perfumery House (MDPH) shared, "The rise of counterfeit products not only threatens brand reputation but also jeopardizes the well-being of consumers who trust in the purity and authenticity of these essential items.As we approach the festive season, consumers are advised to purchase prayer essentials from authorized and reputable retailers to ensure the authenticity and quality of the products they bring into their homes. Together with other FMCG industry leaders, we stand united against counterfeiting, working towards a marketplace that prioritizes genuine products and the well-being of our valued consumers". 

Mr. Rajendra Bhansali, Attorney and Advocate further adds, "Companies need to adopt stringent measures to safeguard their products and consumers. Enhanced security features, including unique packaging identifiers, can be instrumental in differentiating genuine products from counterfeit ones. Furthermore, collaboration among industry players, regulatory bodies, and law enforcement agencies is paramount to create a united front against counterfeit operations. MDPH encourages an open dialogue and information-sharing to strengthen the collective defense against such fraudulent activities in the incense sticks industry".