FAS PROTECTED LOMONOSOV MOSCOW STATE UNIVERSITY FROM AN UNFAIR COMPETITOR

Training center used abbreviation MSU and mislead clients

Earlier, FAS Russia received complaint from Lomonosov Moscow State University about violation of antimonopoly legislation by the ANO DPO Russian Language Training Center of Moscow State University. The organization had used the MSU abbreviation in its name and in the domain name of its website.

According to the Authority, the use of such abbreviation could create a false impression among potential customers about involvement training center in the activities of University and contribute to obtaining unjustified advantages over competitors.

FAS Russia has issued a warning to organization about the termination of actions containing signs of the violation of antimonopoly legislation. It was fulfilled partly: the company changed its name, but continued to use the domain name on its website with abbreviation MSU.

The Authority initiated an antimonopoly investigation. FAS Russia Commission  found that the use of abbreviation "Training Center MSU" is a violation of the Law on Protection of Competiton.*

The organization and its Head were fined.** FAS also issued a remedy to the Training Center to change the domain name. The organization is currently taking measures to implement it.

Reference:

* Part 9 of the Article 4 of the Federal Law of July 26, 2006 No. 135-FZ
"On Protection of Competition"

** Part 1 of the Article 14.33 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation