The Supreme Court of Ukraine confirmed the legality of the imposition by the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine of three fines on Niva LLC for violation of the legislation on protection against unfair competition in the total amount of UAH 1.068 million ($41 thousand).
In particular, in September 2018, the Committee acknowledged that Niva had illegally used the designation “Prosecco” in its economic activities.
The company also used bottles similar to products under the Twist brand of another manufacturer – Santero Fratelli & C – Industria Vinicola Agricola Santo Stefanese S.P.A.
The Antimonopoly Committee recognized these actions as unfair competition and fined UAH 222.1 thousand.
Later, the Antimonopoly Committee admitted that Niva disseminated information that mislead consumers on counter-labels / necklaces of “Champagne of Ukraine Brut” wines, namely the inscription “grapes of Italian origin are used” and used the colors of the national flag of Italy.
For this violation, the Committee fined Niva another 51.5 thousand hryvnyas.
The Antimonopoly Committee also fined Niva 794.72 thousand UAH for distributing misleading information on the counter-labels of Salute Asti Vino Sparkling Sweet White wines, namely the inscription “from Italian producers from Piedmont” and the inscription “grapes of Italian origin are used”.