‘The handling of the case involving L’Etoile (suspected of sending out text messages with advertisements without the phone number users’ written assent) was postponed because we were not provided with all the necessary documents relevant to the case,’ the spokesperson for Sverdlovsk Region’s division of the Federal Antimonopoly Service Marina Yusupova informed UrBC.


Sverdlovsk Region’s division of the Federal Antimonopoly Service is looking into the case of OOO Alcor-C (L’Etoile cosmetics chain store). The company is suspected of violating Article 18 (part 1) of the Federal Advertising Act. Namely, the company is believed to be sending out text messages with advertisements without the phone number users’ written assent.


The ad hoc committee first discussed the case in January 2010, but the proper handling had to be postponed because the defendant failed to produce the necessary papers.


L’Etoile currently operates thirteen retail outlets in Yekaterinburg.


‘According to our data, Moscow-based OOO Alco & Co (which comprises OOO Alcor-C) asked Moscow-based OAO Rapporto to help them send out text messages. These are the data on OAO Rapporto that we are missing at the moment. Also, we actually believe the messages were sent though Beeline, a major mobile phone operator,’ Yusupova added.