OREANDA-NEWS. January 26, 2012. Belgorod Regional Arbitration Court pronounced legitimacy and reasonableness of a decision made by the Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the Belgorod region (Belgorod OFAS Russia) that an agreement between “Yudana” Ltd. and “Pobeda” Cinema Centre” Ltd. had restricted competition, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The companies violated the law by concluding a written agreement with a wholesale supplier - “Yudana” Ltd. - for fixing retail prices for food products sold by “Pobeda” Cinema Centre” Ltd. The anticompetitive agreement makes provisions for supplying food products (hot-dogs, hamburgers, pizza) to “Pobeda” Cinema Centre” Ltd. for further sales to the visitors of the movie theater.

Belgorod OFAS Russia found that the company violated Part 1 Article 11 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” and issued a determination to prevent actions aimed at restricting competition.

Belgorod Regional Arbitration Court pronounced legitimacy of the conclusions made by the antimonopoly authority.

Belgorod OFAS Russia fined “Yudana” Ltd. and “Pobeda” Cinema Centre” Ltd. 100,000 Rubles each, and top executives of the companies - 20,000 Rubles each.

“Yudana” Ltd. concluded similar anticompetitive agreements with “Continent” Ltd., “Uspekh” Ltd., “Nadezhda” Ltd., “Zharko” Ltd. and two individual entrepreneurs, who were selling the products in stores and refueling stations in Belgorod. One of the entrepreneurs admitted his fault; therefore, OFAS did not impose an administrative fine. All other persons will have to pay different fines.

“We have a case when the antimonopoly body exposed and suppressed unlawful activities of a Belgorod network of sellers of products who concluded unlawful agreements with their producer. It allowed sellers to fix and maintain prices for popular products at a particular level, which certainly was not to the benefit of consumers. Actions of such kind often cause increases of prices for goods, works and services. Being supported by Belgorod Regional Arbitration Court, Belgorod OFAS Russia will continue exposing and suppressing anticompetitive agreements and concerted actions in the region”, stated the Head of Belgorod OFAS Russia, Mr. Sergey Petrov.