Russia’s competition watchdog orders dairy maker to comply in trademark dispute

The Federal Antimonopoly Service found that Rostagrokompleks did not hold exclusive rights to the B. Yu. Aleksandrov designation. It will now consider administrative proceedings against the company.

Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) issued a binding order to Rostagrokompleks in a trademark dispute involving the Aleksandrov K. B. mark. The case followed a complaint from the rights holder, who said the manufacturer had sent retail chains letters demanding that they remove a competitor’s products from sale.

Rostagrokompleks argued that the use of the B. Yu. Aleksandrov designation infringed its exclusive rights. During the proceedings, the FAS found that the company had no such rights. The agency also said the applicant’s products carried its own registered marks and therefore did not infringe the other designation.

In March, the agency had warned the manufacturer to stop disseminating inaccurate information, withdraw its earlier letters and refute their contents. The company did not comply, prompting the FAS to open an antimonopoly case.

The agency’s order is binding. The FAS will now consider whether to impose administrative liability on the manufacturer. The dispute began after allegations against a competitor were sent directly to retail chains.