ISLAMABAD, Jan 2: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has imposed a total penalty of Rs4.5 million on five local courier service providers illegally using the trademark of DHL courier service, which is a violation of section 10 of the Competition Act 2010 that deals with deceptive marketing practices.

A CCP bench comprising Chairperson Rahat Kaunain Hassan, Mueen Batlay and Dr Shehzad Ansar, passed an order in a complaint filed by DHL Pakistan (Pvt) Limited that seven courier providers were using its trademark without authorisation, which is misleading and false.

An enquiry conducted by CCP over the complaint and it was established that the trademark of DHL was fraudulently being used by the accused courier service providers and recommended further action against them.

After hearing the parties, CCP bench imposed penalties on five local courier service providers.

However, no penalty had been imposed on two respondents Mr Rehan and ICS Courier as they discontinued using the DHL trademark during the proceedings of the enquiry and the Commission took a lenient view.

The CCP bench also warned the local couriers to ensure responsible behaviour in future with respect to the marketing of their business and directed them to discontinue the use of DHL trade mark with immediate effect.

The CCP bench in its decision said that trademark protection was needed to discourage unfair competition means, such as counterfeiters, to use similar distinctive signs to market inferior or different products or services.

“This enabled people with skill and enterprise to produce and market goods and services in fair conditions, thereby facilitating international trade,” the CCP order said.

Apart from the penalties the five local couriers have been directed to file commitments with the Registrar of CCP reporting compliance with the Order within 15 days.