The first fact of unlawful use of the 2017 Confederation Cup symbols is established in St Petersburg

“Sem’ya” chain stores distribute leaflets with unlawful images of the competition symbols  

On 16 June 2017, St Petersburg OFAS issued a warning to “TD Intertorg” Ltd. to stop actions with signs of violating Article 14.8 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”. 

Earlier, upon a request from a FUFA representative, St Petersburg OFAS received photographs from “City Advertisement Placing Centre” St Petersburg State Unitary Enterprise of the leaflets with images of 2017 FIFA Confederation Cup, disseminated through “Sem’ya” chain stores из СПб ГУП «Городской центр размещения рекламы».

Such leaflets can create and impression that the retail chain is involved in the sport event. The antimonopoly body, however, established that “TD Intertorg” Ltd.  did not receive any permission from FIFA.

The actions of the retail chain have elements of unfair competition since unlawful use of competition symbols when selling the goods prohibited by the law.

“TD Intertorg” Ltd. must stop disseminating unlawful leaflets; otherwise an antimonopoly case will be initiated.

Using the symbols of FIFA 2017 Confederation Cup and the forthcoming FIFA 2018 World Cup can lead to violating the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” and the Law on advertising.

If signs of violating the law are revealed, the regulator’s specialists, as members of the Coordination group for protecting FIFA brand, are prepared to apply the relevant antimonopoly remedies immediately.