November 21, 2014
YEREVAN – Armenia’s State Commission for Protection of Economic Competition has issued severe warnings to 80 companies for unfair competition in using “eco” and “bio” labeling, the regulator’s press office reported on November 20, 2014.
The watchdog carried out large-scale studies and revealed violations by companies producing foodstuffs and nonfoods and labeling them as “organic” or “biological”, according to the report.
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October 23, 2014
The Government Ordinance No. 12/2014 was published in the Official Gazette on August 6 2014, making significant amendments to the Romanian Unfair Competition Law (11/1991 – the Unfair Competition Law) and Competition Law (21/1996 – the Competition Law).
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October 23, 2014
What types of intellectual property claims can be brought before the International Trade Commission?
The U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) investigates claims of unfair competition under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (“Section 337”). Unfair competition includes claims of patent, copyright, trade dress and trademark infringement, as well as trade secret misappropriation, passing off, and false advertising. The acts of unfair competition must relate to the importation of goods.
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October 25, 2014
Quiet life is over for Volkswagen Concern in Azerbaijan: it was officially accused in unfair competition.
According to the Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy and Industry, the State Service for Monopoly Policy and Protection of Consumers’ Rights started official investigation of Euro Style Ltd activities (the official dealer of Volkswagen in Azerbaijan). The reason for investigation was legislative violations in advertising of Volkswagen Polo Sedan and Volkswagen Tiguan. Advertisement slogans of those models directly point out at their superiority over other models and producers. Polo Sedan is positioned as the best means to satisfy daily needs and Tiguan is presented as the true friend for good and bad roads. The State Service for Monopoly Policy and Protection of Consumers’ Rights continues the investigation. (abc.az)
October 30, 2014
The State Service for Monopoly Policy and Protection of Consumer Rights operating under the Ministry of Economy and Industry imposed penalty on Mazda dealer.
According to the State Service, AZN 13,500 penalty has been imposed on Rotary Motors LLC, which ordered Mazda CX-9 advertisement violating legislation requirements. The advertisement said that Mazda CX-9 can be purchased on credit with zero annual rate, which was deliberate consumer fraud. (abc.az)
October 30, 2014
Following Volkswagen, Fresco supermarket network has been accused in unfair competition.
According to the Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy and Industry, the State Service for Monopoly Policy and Protection of Consumers Rights operating under the Ministry, started investigation against Azəri Retail LLC, which owns Fresco supermarket network. According to the Service specialists, advertising slogan of the network “Fresco Market: the very best for you” is a violation of advertisement law requirements, as it creates misconception that the network has superiority over its competitors.
The investigation is in process, the same as the similar investigation against Volkswagen (Euro Style dealer). (abc.az)
October 13, 2014
As online shopping trend sweeps digital India, offline retailers are a worried lot, with sales of electronic goods, consumer durables and utility products declining across cities and towns even during the peak festival season.
With e-commerce players Flipkart, Snapdeal and Amazon pitching for more orders, offering hefty discounts and freebies in the virtual world, vendors in the real world are crying foul of unfair competition and a non-level playing field. ”Growing competition among them (e-retailers) for ramping up sales at any cost is affecting our business, as we do not see the kind of footfalls we got even year ago and our retail sales have taken a severe hit because many asmart’ buyers prefer shop online where prices are lower than we are able to give on several goods,” manager of a leading consumer showroom told IANS here.
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October 14, 2014
Teeth-bleaching isn’t brain surgery, although the Supreme Court seemed to find a link between the two in an antitrust case argued on October 14, 2014.
Among the questions before the justices is whether it is unfair under federal law for a state regulatory board made up mostly of dentists to prevent lower-cost competitors who aren’t dentists from offering teeth-whitening services.
The outcome could turn on how the justices’ decision affects brain surgeons, lawyers and others whose practices often are regulated by other members of their professions.
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October 16, 2014
Bulgarian anti-monopoly watchdog, the Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC), has imposed a BGN887,260 (USD581,511) fine on internet service provider (ISP) Blizoo ‘for unfair competitive practices’ with its Decision No.1322/8.10.2014. The CPCnoted that the penalty represents 1% of the operator’s net revenue for 2013.
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October 3, 2014
European Union regulators on October 3, 2014 cleared the buyout of the WhatsApp mobile messaging service by Facebook, despite opposition by telecom companies afraid of the growing power of US technology giants.
In a statement explaining its approval of the $19-billon (15-billion-euro) deal, the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, said Facebook and WhatsApp were “not close competitors” and that consumers would continue to have a “wide array of choices”.
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