MOSCOW, February 6 - RAPSI. The court will hear on March 1 the Russian Alcohol Group's lawsuit challenging the patent service's refusal to register the Russian Alcohol trademark.

The Moscow Commercial Court will reconsider the dispute.

The Federal Service for Intellectual Property, Patents and Trademarks' (Rospatent) refused to register the brand as it is confusingly similar to the "Russkaya" ("Russian") and "Russkaya Vodka" ("Russian Vodka") trademarks.

On March 14, the Moscow Commercial Court satisfied the Russian Alcohol Group's lawsuit and invalidated Rospatent's refusal to register the Russian Alcohol trademark.
The appeals instance left the decision in force.

Rospatent then filed an appeal.

The Russian Alcohol Group is a major strong alcohol beverage producer in Russia. CEDC, one of the largest vodka producers and distributors in Poland, holds a 100-percent stake in the company. CEDC owns the Zubrowka, Bols and Soplica brands.

CEDC distributes more than 700 brands, including Remy Martin, Jaegermeister, Metaxa, Corona, Foster's, Jim Beam and Guinness. It also operates in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. Some 90 percent of its shares are in free float.