Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has determined that publisher Bauer may have misled readers of its monthly PC Format.

Proceedings against Bauer, a mass media company with a variety of print and digital formats, were initiated in March 2015. The Authority analysed promotional materials on the antivirus programme Bitdefender Total Security 2015, which the company was offering as an insert in its December 2014 issue.

UOKiK’s investigation revealed that the information accompanying the programme included the label full-year version and annual version. However, those who purchased the magazine received only a three-month license to use the programme. To continue to use it beyond that point, readers needed a code, which would only be given in the magazine on a quarterly basis.

In the Authority’s assessment, the publisher may have misled readers by suggesting that the offer was more beneficial than it actually was. The law calls for enterprises to honestly, factually and fully inform consumers about the characteristics of the products they are offering.

To redress the practices, Bauer agreed, among other measures, to extend the license of those who purchased the December 2014 and March 2015 issues of PC Format. The publisher has two months from the date UOKiK’s decision entered into force to deliver documents showing it has undertaken the measures required of it.  

Additional information for the media:

Press Office, UOKiK
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warsaw
Phone.: +48 22 827 28 92, +48 22 55 60 314, +48 22 55 60 430
E-mail: biuroprasowe@uokik.gov.pl