Urban Company has filed a defamation and disparagement suit against Kent RO Systems before the Delhi High Court, alleging that Kent RO's advertisements and social media posts made false and misleading claims about its Native range of water purifiers. The suit was filed on 11 August 2025, according to an exchange filing disclosed on 23 August 2025.

What the Dispute Is About

Urban Company alleged that Kent RO's advertising campaign specifically targeted the two-year filter life and two-year service-free features of its Native M0, M1, M2, M1 Pro, and M2 Pro water purifiers. According to the filing, Kent RO's advertisements described these features as a 'marketing gimmick' and claimed that using Native purifiers was 'unsafe' and 'risky' for consumers — characterisations Urban Company contests as factually incorrect and commercially damaging.

What the Court Ordered

The matter came up before the Delhi High Court on 12 August 2025. Following the hearing, Kent RO informed the court that it would withdraw the advertisements in question. Kent RO further undertook not to publish or run other advertisements or promotional material making the same or similar claims about water purifiers offering a two-year filter life or a two-year no-servicing feature in a manner that disparages Urban Company. The court directed Kent RO to remove the advertisements and social media content within 15 days from 12 August. The order was passed on 12 August but was published on the court's website on 22 August 2025.

A Broader Legal Battle

This defamation suit is one front in a wider legal conflict between the two companies. Urban Company noted that other matters remain sub judice, including a patent infringement suit filed by Kent RO against Urban Company, as well as Urban Company's own counterclaim challenging Kent RO's patent. Urban Company has also filed a separate tortious interference suit against Kent RO, further widening the legal dispute. Notably, this pattern of rival brands clashing in court over comparative advertising claims has become increasingly common in India's fast-growing home appliances and water purification segment.

Market Reaction

The disclosure coincided with notable activity in Urban Company's stock. Shares of the company closed 8.19% higher at ₹157.41 on Friday, ahead of the formal disclosure. The stock has gained nearly 20% so far in the current calendar year, although it has delivered a negative return of approximately 6% over the past 12 months.

What Comes Next

With multiple suits now running in parallel, the legal contest between Urban Company and Kent RO is likely to play out over several months. The outcome of the patent infringement case in particular could have significant implications for how Native purifiers are marketed and whether their core product features face any legal challenge. Investors and consumers in the water purification space will be watching closely.