Australian telecom Telstra is "facing legal action over allegations its latest advertising campaign has deceived the public into thinking it is a sponsor of the Australian Olympic team," according to Nick Toscano of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Documents filed in the Federal Court on Friday allege that Telstra's marketing campaign is a "clear attempt to deceive Australians," despite the telecom having no affiliation with the nation's Olympic team and "no official role with the Olympic movement." Promotions appearing on Channel Seven have described Telstra as the "official technology partner" to Seven's Olympic Games broadcast. The Australian Olympic Committee released a statement on Friday night, saying that it was "left with no choice" but to take the case to court. The AOC said that the support of its commercial partners "was crucial in funding the nation's Olympic teams and sending 410 athletes to the upcoming games in Rio." A Telstra spokesperson said that the promotions in question "reflected the company's existing commercial arrangement with the Seven Network." The spokesperson added that Telstra "could not comment on the case any further" (SMH, 7/15). The AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW's Mason & Stensholt reported the AOC is "seeking to stop the infringing ads and online material from being published or air, as well as damages." The AOC and IOC have "strict rules in place governing brand association with the Olympics and the use of terms such as partner," though there have been many high-profile cases involving so-called "ambush marketing" at previous Games (AFR, 7/15).
