The Patent watchdog submitted an appeal against a court ruling that refusal to register the “Volodya i Medvedi” (Volodya and the Bears) trademark is illegal, the court told the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI) on Wednesday.
The Moscow Commercial Court ruled on September 12 that the Federal Service for intellectual property, patents and trademarks unlawfully denied the “Volodya i Medvedi” trademark registration to the Royalty alcoholic beverages producer.
Royalty sought to register the trademark for alcoholic beverages, beer, juices and sparkling waters.
The Patent service rejected Royalty’s trademark application in October 2010, stating that the trademark would damage the country’s image and public interests.
According to the Patent service, “Volodya i Medvedi” impermissibly refers to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev. “Volodya” is synonymous for “Vladimir,” while “medved,” the root word of President Medvedev’s last name, means “bear.” Meanwhile, the watchdog 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 the watchdog’s decision and won the case.
The “Volodya i Medvedi” vodka is currently sold in Russia.
RAPSI, Alyona Yegorova