The district court Hague (Netherlands) has decided

to withhold to SPI Group.

10 February 2005

The district court Hague (Netherlands) has promulgated results of consideration in December 2004ã. the claim of group S.P.I. to the government of the Russian Federation at face of the Federal state enterprise (FKP) "Sojuzplodoimport" and his General Director Mr. Vladimir Loginov in connection with expropriation of vodka brands Stolichnaya and Moskovskaya for the benefit of the State.

The claim sent on August, 7 2002ã., also concerned of some the foreign distributors distributing original Russian vodka, produced under license FKP. Having studied arguments of group S.P.I., the court has recognized their insufficient and has decided in the claim to withhold.

In the born decision of district court Hague is emphasized, that after close studying all materials, there are no bases to doubt of an opportunity of fair consideration of claims of group S.P.I. by Russian courts. Lately, the Russian courts of various levels, including the supreme judicial instances, make decision on restoration of the rights of the state on trade marks Stolichnaya and Moskovskaya.

Making comments on the decision of the Hague court, General Director FKP "Sojuzplodoimport"  Mr. V.Loginov has noted: " we have met with one more international approval of a position of the Russian government in relation to trade marks belonging to Russian state ".