MOSCOW, March 1 - RAPSI. The Moscow Commercial Court has postponed until March 27 its hearing of the Russian Alcohol Group's lawsuit challenging the patent service's denial of the Russian Alcohol trademark registration, the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI/rapsinews.com) reported on Thursday.

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.

The Russian Alcohol Group sought to register Russian Alcohol trademark for 22 classes of goods and seven classes of services under ICGS.

The Federal Service for Intellectual Property, Patents and Trademarks' (Rospatent) refused to register the brand in October 2009 and the Chamber for Patent Disputes affirmed the decision in June 2010.

The Russian Alcohol Group is a major strong alcohol beverage producer in Russia. It is fully owned by the CEDC, one of the largest vodka producers and distributors in Poland.

The 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.