VOLGOGRAD OFAS SUPPRESSED A NEW FACT OF UNAUTHORIZED USE OF 2018 WORLD CUP SUMBOLS

The largest confectionary in Volgograd had advertising leaflets with information about its new line of products – “World Cup”

On 15 June 2018, the Commission of Volgograd OFAS found that “NP Konfil” CJSC was involved in unfair competition prohibited by the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” [1]. The company selected and used the name “World Cup” for its product line, which created a false impression of “NP Konfil” CJSC being associated with FIFA or FIFA events as a sponsor, partner, licensee, an official supplier, etc. [2]

On 2 June 2018, OFAS officers revealed dissemination of advertizing leaflets of the confectionary that used soccer images and “World Cup” as the name of its product line. The leaflets had been distributed for a short period – since 1 June 2018 in “Konfil” stores in the Volgograd region. Information about the new product line under the “World Cup” name was also published on the producer’s web-site.

FIFA has no claim to the goods packaging and labels because the products demonstrate only images with a neutral soccer theme and no “World Cup” name of the product line is mentioned.

Commission Head, Deputy Head of Volgograd OFAS, Irina Nikuiko, explained: “During the run-up to and staging FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia, a fast-track investigation procedure is in place for cases opened by the antimonopoly body upon signs of unfair competition associated with unlawful use of the event symbols as well as creating false impressions about involvement in the World Cup or with FIFA. These efforts are especially important for the regional FAS Offices in the 11 cities hosting the World Cup, including Volgograd”.

An administrative case will be opened against “NP Konfil” CJSC under Part 1 Article 14.33 of the Code on Administrative procedures.

Reference:

Under Clause 3 Part 1 Article 20 of No. 108-FZ Federal Law (revised on 23.04.2018)  “On organizing FIFA 2018 World Cup in the Russian Federation…" of 07.06.2013, 3) misleading, particularly, through creating misunderstanding that the goods producer and (or) advertiser is associated with FIFA or its events as a sponsor, partner, assistant, co-organizer, agent, licensee, an official supplier of goods, works, services, or in any other capacity is recognized as unfair competition  and leads to the consequences specified in the antimonopoly law of the Russian Federation.

According to No. 108-FZ Federal Law on organizing the World Cup in the Russian Federation, the “World Cup” marking falls into FIFA 2018 World Cup symbols, the usage of which is strictly regulated.

[1] Article 14.8

[2] Such actions are directly prohibited by Clause 3 Part 1 Article 20 of No. 108-FZ Federal Law on organizing the World Cup