The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) ruled that Mezan’s “Storm” energy drink closely imitated Sting’s design, branding, and bottle. The commission said this created a high risk of consumer confusion at the point of sale.
CCP labeled Mezan’s actions as “parasitic copying” and described the case as clear deceptive marketing under Section 10 of the Competition Act, 2010. The commission’s verdict shows that companies cannot mislead consumers with copycat products.
The dispute dates back to 2018 when PepsiCo filed a complaint accusing Mezan of designing Storm to ride on Sting’s success. Mezan challenged CCP’s authority, delaying proceedings with petitions in the Lahore High Court in 2018 and 2021. These legal maneuvers stalled the investigation for years.
In 2025, the Lahore High Court dismissed Mezan’s petitions, confirming CCP’s jurisdiction. The court emphasized that competition law proceedings are independent of trademark disputes, and delaying tactics would not prevent regulatory scrutiny.
CCP’s investigation found that Storm copied Sting’s red color scheme, slanted white lettering, aggressive graphics, and nearly identical bottle shape. The commission stated that minor differences do not prevent a product from being classified as deceptive if it creates a similar overall commercial impression.
Experts say the ruling sends a strong message to the industry. Owning a registered trademark, like Mezan does for Storm, does not shield a company from competition law violations when consumer deception is proven.
This decision also reinforces consumer protection laws in Pakistan, highlighting that deceptive marketing and imitation of successful products will not be tolerated. The Rs15 crore fine reflects the severity of the violation and serves as a warning to other companies in the beverage market.
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With the fine now imposed, Mezan Beverages will need to revise its product branding and marketing strategies. The ruling may also impact other energy drink makers, encouraging transparency and fair competition in the sector.
