Uzbek Ministry Fines Bukhara Company 41 Million Soums for Smecta Trademark Violation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Justice has fined a Bukhara-based company 41 million soums for infringing the trademark of the French pharmaceutical brand Smecta, the ministry said on Monday.

The violation was identified after a complaint from France’s Mayoly Pharma France, the owner of the SMECTA trademark. According to the ministry, the local firm, A.O. LLC, produced 1,000 units of counterfeit goods labeled “Aktiv Smekta.”

Officials determined that the product name was phonetically similar to the original trademark and could mislead consumers.

In addition to the fine, authorities ordered the company to immediately cease all activities that violate the Smecta trademark.