Gas supplier Liquigas has applied for an injunction to stop its competitor Easygas from “illegally and abusively” collecting its gas cylinders.

Filed in the First Hall of the Civil Court, the company said it had started distributing gas cylinders when it took over from Enemalta Corporation in 2008 after winning an open call for tenders.

When it took over, the company also bought a large number of cylinders which were in the possession of households, the writ said.

The gas cylinders distributed to the consumers remained Liquigas’ property against a deposit, the company said.

In spite of this, it said, Easygas was regularly collecting empty gas cylinders that belonged to Liquigas – without permission – and was now in possession large number.

These actions were “illegal and abusive” and were a violation of the proprietary rights of Liquigas, it said.

Mr Justice Giannino Caruana Demajo will be hearing further submissions on February 9, the company said in a statement.

Two weeks ago, Easygas said it would give €25 for every reusable gas cylinder that was returned even if customers did not have receipt.

Easygas had described statements by its rival company Liquigas not to refund the deposit without a receipt as “unfair and dishonest” and had argued that the deposits taken were equivalent to, or even in excess of the price to buy a full gas cylinder.

Thus, it added, if a cylinder was lost, the company owning the cylinder would not suffer financial prejudice because it would have collected the cost of the cylinder from the start.