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Russian regulator accuses Google of violating law on advertisement

Using Google AdWords service the companies distributed ads of smoking accessories (Zippo lighters) on the territory of Russia, violating clause 8, article 7, of the federal law on advertisement

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has accused Google of violating the law on advertisement, a TASS correspondent reported from the meeting of the FAS commission.

According to the regulator, advertisement distributor Google Inc and advertisers - Russian companies Olkos Group and Avankorp violated clause 8, article 7, of the federal law on advertisement.

Using Google AdWords service the companies distributed advertisements of smoking accessories (Zippo lighters) on the territory of Russia, the regulator said.

At the meeting the representatives of Google and advertisers claimed that the given advertisement concerned Zippa souvenir products not smoking accessories.

However Deputy Head of FAS Andrei Kashevarov said that Zippo production line includes lighters used as smoking accessories and their adverisment is a violation of the Russian law.

Nikolai Kartashov head of advertisement control department at FAS said that the violators face fine from 100,000 ($1,502) to 500,000 rubles ($7,516).