Your trusted source

"Grand Tobacco" Armenian-Canadian Joint Venture has applied to the RA State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition complaining over the sale restrictions imposed by Philip Morris in the territory of Russia.

According to the press release, issued by the Commission, the matter refers to the case currently examined in the Moscow Arbitration Court, where Philip Morris disputes the
“confusing similarity” between its product with a trademark Marlboro and that of Ararat produced by Grand Tobacco.

The State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition has examined the issue and revealed that Philip Morris has signed sale contracts with some large stores in Moscow with a provision to quit the cooperation with Grand Tobacco and remove their product from circulation.

The Commission has held that no confusing similarity existed between the two products, thus affirming Grand Tobacco has not breached any legislative norm. The Commission has communicated with the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia over the matter, which have shared the Commission’s findings over the “unauthorized activity” of Philip Morris.

Furthermore, the Commission notes that Philip Morris activity could be qualified as non-competitive activity for having signed contracts aimed at hampering the sale of Grand Tobacco products.  

The release reads that Armenian and Russian competition bodies act in the Arbitration Court to address issues connected with Philip Morris activity.