The Rospatent agency has appealed the commercial court’s decision in support of registering the “Volodya i Medvedi” (Volodya and the Bears) trademark on behalf of the Royalty alcoholic beverages producer, the court told the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI).
The Moscow Commercial Court ruled on September 12 that Rospatent unlawfully denied the “Volodya i Medvedi” trademark registration to Royalty.
Royalty sought the trademark for alcoholic beverages, beer, juices and sparkling waters.
Rospatent rejected Royalty’s trademark application in October 2010, stating that the trademark would damage the country’s image and public interests.
According to Rospatent, “Volodya i Medvedi” impermissibly refers to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev. “Volodya” is a nickname for “Vladimir,” while “medved,” the root word of Medvedev’s last name, means “bear.” Meanwhile, the regulator added that the brand would also make reference to the prime minister by using the trademark, as it was to be adorned by a bear, which is the symbol of Putin’s United Russia party.
Royalty successfully challenged Rospatent’s decision and won on September 5.
“Volodya i Medvedi” vodka is currently sold in Russia.