Serious administrative sanctions to be imposed on persons illegally selling “Eurovision-2012” accessories in Azerbaijan

Serious administrative sanctions will be imposed on the persons illegally selling “Eurovision Song Contest – Baku 2012” T-shirts, bags and other accessories, head of the public affairs and monitoring department of the Public Television and Radio Broadcasting Company Tahir Mammadov said.

Mammadov said they had several times said it was illegal. “Adil Karimli and I repeatedly underlined that that sale was illegal. We want to reiterate that it contradicts the legislation and the serious copyright infringement. The logo of Eurovision Song Contest is the brand of the European Broadcasting Union and no producer or commercial enterprise can use this logo without their permission. No one can sell products with this logo,” he said.

Tahir Mammadov underlined that the European Broadcasting Union was seriously concerned over it. EBU leadership had even conducted monitoring. “EBU is not satisfied with the results of the monitoring. I would also like to note that the Public Television has carried out initial investigation and revealed serious violation of law by producers. This sale has not been permitted by the European Broadcasting Union, this is negative,” he said.

Mammadov said illegal sale cases have not been ended with this and added that Public Television will conduct large monitoring in the near future. “It would be better if illegal producers and traders understand their responsibility before the law and stop their activity. Otherwise serious administrative sanctions will be imposed against them. According to the preliminary investigation, there are local products alongside with the foreign products. And not only, but several men are behind this illegal business. I urge these people to stop their activity. Otherwise they will face serious material damage”.

Following the Azerbaijan’s victory in the Eurovision 2011 Song Contest, different T-shirts, bags and other accessories with inscription “Eurovision Song Contest – Baku 2012” were put on illegal sale in Baku. Such products must be sold only after the European Broadcasting Union’s notification. On the eve of the Eurovision Contest 2012 in Baku, different souvenirs, pens, scarves, caps, T-shirts and other accessories will be legally sold. Cost of such T-shirts on legal sale is 17-25 euro, but in Baku illegal traders sell such T-shirts for AZN 5-10.


/APA/