Russia Trademark Cancellations Affect Hundreds of Foreign Companies
Russia Trademark Cancellations Affect Hundreds of Foreign Companies: Since the start of 2024, more than 300 foreign companies have faced legal threats to their trademarks in Russia, according to a Bloomberg Businessweek review of court documents. Among the affected brands are Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, Amazon.com, Sheraton, Victoria’s Secret, Ericsson, Inditex, and Nokia—some of which have already lost rights to certain trademarks after challengers succeeded in termination claims.
Impact of the Ukraine War on Trademarks
The surge in cancellation attempts coincided with the approach of the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. That conflict prompted hundreds of U.S. and European companies to leave Russia, though most retained their trademarks, valid for 10 years, in hopes of eventually returning to one of the world’s largest consumer markets.
Russian Law on Trademark Nonuse
Now, the path back is narrowing. Under Russian law, trademarks unused for three years can be canceled and awarded to anyone willing to apply and pay fees of under $1,500.
Expert Opinions on Future Risks
“At some point in the future, everyone’s going to want to go back into Russia and pick up where they left off, but it’s going to be virtually impossible for a lot of brands to do that,” says Robin Webster, partner at UK law firm Stevens Hewlett & Perkins, which represents companies defending their trademark rights.
Russia’s Shift in Economic Strategy
The threats to foreign trademarks reflect the widening gap between Russia and the major economies that have historically invested heavily in the country. The Kremlin has reversed decades of globalization, turning instead to allies such as China and India, which have avoided joining most Western sanctions.
Government Measures Against Foreign Companies
Many of the companies that exited have no immediate plans to return, but Russia is taking steps to ensure they may not have a choice. It has nationalized assets, pressured others to sell to local buyers at discounted rates, and stated that foreign companies may only return if their presence aligns with Russia’s “national interest,” according to President Vladimir Putin.
Global Importance of Trademark Protection
Trademarks are a high-stakes business worldwide. Apple, for instance, paid $60 million in 2012 to a Chinese company that had registered the iPad name. U.S. trademark disputes over Cuban rum and cigars have dragged on for decades.
Companies Defending Their Trademarks
Some brands are actively defending their rights. A Giorgio Armani spokesperson said the company is confident of a positive outcome in its ongoing trademark disputes. Michelin, though not planning a return to Russia, monitors applications to prevent misuse of its name. Several major companies—including Inditex, Amazon, Ericsson, Nokia, Victoria’s Secret, PVH (owner of Calvin Klein), and Marriott International (owner of Sheraton)—declined to comment.
Increase in Trademark Renewals
One preventive measure is renewing trademarks before expiration. Russia’s patent office, Rospatent, recorded 15,534 filings in the first nine months of 2024, exceeding totals from the previous five years. Intel and Microsoft are among foreign companies that applied to extend registrations this year.
Legal Perspectives on Renewals
“Companies may have left the Russian market, but they still want to keep their registrations valid,” says Riikka Palmos, a lawyer at Helsinki’s Papula-Nevinpat. “Russia is a very big market, and some clients who said in 2022 they wouldn’t return are reconsidering.”
Obstacles in Renewal Applications
While most renewal applications are approved, some face obstacles. Renault SA, for example, had a renewal denied in September due to an incorrect address. The French automaker said the application is purely defensive, aimed at preventing theft of its trademark amid widespread intellectual property piracy.
International Concerns Over IP in Russia
The U.S. Trade Representative’s 2025 report described the intellectual property environment in Russia as “extremely challenging.” Bartosz Fert, chairman of the International Trade Committee at the European Communities Trademark Association, noted that the rise in nonuse cancellations is concerning, though European authorities have limited recourse. Rospatent maintains that it protects the intellectual property of both Russian and foreign companies and meets all international obligations.
Historical Context of Trademark Disputes
Trademark disputes in Russia date back to the 1990s, when foreign companies often found their brand names already registered. Starbucks, for instance, opened its first Russian café in 2007 after winning a court battle over a trademark squatter. This year, courts again ruled in Starbucks’ favor against Anton Pinsky, who had rebranded its Russian cafes as Stars Coffee.
Court Decisions on Nonuse Claims
Nonuse claims are frequently dismissed if the trademark owner can show continued use or if challengers cannot prove legitimate interest. Vladimir Biriulin, a partner at Moscow law firm Gorodissky & Partners, says courts have rejected dozens of such applications since 2022.
Ongoing and High-Profile Cases
An ongoing case involving Luxottica Group’s Ray-Ban brand, challenged by Moscow eyewear chain Eyekraft, could signal shifts in the landscape. Eyekraft’s glasses line, Ray’s, features a logo resembling Ray-Ban’s, with a hearing set for early December.
Aggressive Trademark Cancellation Efforts
Some individuals and companies are aggressively pursuing trademark cancellations. Andrei Kozhukharev has filed at least 12 nonuse claims in the past year, targeting brands such as Stüssy, Fred Perry, and Carhartt. Hong Kong-based Multigoods Production Ltd. has launched at least 20 actions since mid-2024, successfully claiming trademarks from Amazon Europe, Nokia, Inditex, and Victoria’s Secret.
Case Study: Imperial Brands
Imperial Brands nearly lost the Gitanes trademark to Kaliningrad-based Universal Cigarette Manufactory (UCM). After filing to register the brand, UCM’s website advertised Gitanes cigarettes, but the ad was later removed. Imperial Brands had discontinued sales of Gitanes in Russia years before 2022 and did not contest the cancellation.
