Article

In the matter of M/s Poly Medicure Ltd. vs. M/s Brillio Technologies Pvt. Ltd., [Civil Appeal No. 6349 of 2024arising out SLP (C) No. 14306 of 2020], the division bench of Hon’ble Supreme Court consisting of Justice J. B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra has recently held that although it stands settled that an incorporated company is not per se excluded from the ambit of a “consumer” and may fall within the meaning of Section 2(1)(d) read with Section 2(1)(m) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (“the Act”), the explanation to Section 2(1)(d), which excludes self-employment activities from “commercial purpose”, cannot be extended to corporate entities purchasing goods or services to streamline or automate business operations.

Facts:

The Appellant, a company registered under the Companies Act, 1956, filed a complaint before SCDRC claiming that it is engaged in the business of import and export of medical devices and equipment. To install and implement an export–import documentation system for its manufacturing facility, the Appellant purchased a software licence for “Brillio Opti Suite” from the Respondent and paid consideration towards licence fees and additional development costs. The Appellant alleged that the software did not function as promised and that there was deficiency in service, the Appellant filed a consumer complaint before the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC), Delhi seeking refund along with interest.

The SCDRC dismissed the complaint holding it to be not maintainable on the ground that the appellant was not a “Consumer” within the meaning of Section 2(1)(d) of the Act, as the software had been purchased for a commercial purpose. The said order was upheld by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) as well. Aggrieved by the order of NCDRC, the appellant approached the Supreme Court for relief.

Central Issue involved in the matter:

The question before the Court was whether in respect software which was utilised for internal business processes can be said to be for commercial purpose and whether the appellant would qualify as a “consumer” as defined in Section 2(1)(d) of the 1986 Act.

Submissions by the Parties:

The Appellant contended that the software was purchased for self-use as an end user, without any intention of resale or transfer for profit. The software was utilised for internal business processes and does not amount to a commercial purpose. It was also argued that since the software was not directly linked to generation of profit, the transaction cannot be considered as one for a commercial purpose so as to disqualify the appellant from being a “consumer”. Reliance was placed on Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust v. Unique Shanti Developers to argue that the dominant purpose test must be applied and that identity of the purchaser or value of the transaction is not determinative. It was further argued, relying on Sunil Kohli v. Purearth Infrastructure Ltd., that goods or services used for self-utilisation to earn a livelihood should fall within the definition of “consumer”. Therefore, the view taken by the SCDRC followed by the NCDRC is contrary against the law and liable to be set aside.

The Respondent contested that the software was specifically designed to support and automate the Appellant’s core business activities, including export documentation, duty drawback, forex management, and regulatory compliance and arguing that the software had a direct nexus with profit-generating activities of the Appellant. The Act contemplates business-to-consumer disputes, not business-to-business commercial transactions. Reliance was placed on Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust v. Unique Shanti Developers and Ors and National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Harsolia Motors.

Analysis and finding:

The Court, relying upon the Judgment of Supreme Court in the matter of Karnataka Power Transmission Corp. and Anr v. Ashok Iron Works Private Ltd., observed that the definition of “person” in Section 2(1)(m) of the Act is inclusive and not exhaustive. Accordingly, it stands settled that an incorporated company is not per se excluded from the ambit of a “consumer” and may fall within the meaning of Section 2(1)(d) read with Section 2(1)(m) of the Act. However, the decisive factor is whether the goods purchased or services availed are for a commercial purpose.

The Court relied extensively on Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust v. Unique Shanti Developers and Ors, wherein the Court has observed that there is no straight forward formula to determine a “commercial purpose” and that the dominant intention or dominant purpose test must be applied. Ordinarily, business-to-business transactions having a close and direct nexus with profit generation constitute a commercial purpose. The Court drew a clear distinction between a self-employed individual purchasing goods/services to earn livelihood, and an established commercial entitiy purchasing goods/services to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, or maximise profits. Court observed that the explanation to Section 2(1)(d), which excludes self-employment activities from “commercial purpose”, cannot be extended to corporate entities purchasing goods or services to streamline or automate business operations. The Court further clarified that decisions in Harsolia Motors are related to insurance being indemnificatory and not profit-generating, and cannot be applied to cases where the transaction directly facilitates commercial operations.

The Court found that the software was purchased to automate export–import processes integral to the Appellant’s business. Automation of such processes is inherently aimed at cost efficiency and profit maximisation. Consequently, the transaction bore a direct nexus with commercial activity and profit generation. The Court held that the Appellant had purchased the software licence for a commercial purpose, and therefore did not qualify as a “consumer” under Section 2(1)(d) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 and the orders passed by the SCDRC and NCDRC were affirmed. The appeal was accordingly dismissed.