Russian Antitrust Commission Bans Chocolates Similar to Ferrero Rocher

The Federal Antitrust Commission of Russia (FAS) has recently ruled that the Russian confectionery maker Konti-Rus violated the Law on Protection of Competition by producing the Esfero Crema sweets, which were found to be confusingly similar to the Italian confectionary maker Ferrero’s chocolates Ferrero Rocher.

As the legal portal Pravo.ru reported on February 1, 2010, the FAS claimed unfair competition on the basis of trademark infringement, stating that the packaging and the look of chocolates were confusingly similar to Ferrero’s signature round Nutella-filled chocolates wrapped in gold foil.

The case against Konti-Rus was dismissed as the infringer voluntarily admitted violation of article 14.4, of the Law on Protection of Competition, which prohibits the production and sale of goods infringing intellectual property rights.

For more information, please contact Elena Zubenko or Jelena Jankovic.

Source: Pravo.ru