MOSCOW, June 26 – RAPSI. The patent watchdog has requested review of the court ruling over the Volodya i Medvedi (Volodya and the Bears) brand's registration.
The watchdog's application has been filed with the Supreme Commercial Court.
The Royalty company sought to register the trademark for alcoholic beverages, beer, juices and sparkling water.
The watchdog 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" clearly refers to President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. "Volodya" is a nickname for "Vladimir," while "medved," the root word of Medvedev's last name, means "bear."
Meanwhile, the watchdog added that the brand would also make reference to the president by using the trademark, as it was to be adorned by a bear, which is the symbol of Putin's United Russia party.
In December 2011, Royalty objected to the watchdog’s decision, the objection was dismissed.
Later, the company referred to the court.
In September 2011, the Moscow Commercial Court obligated the watchdog to register the Volodya i Medvedi trademark for Royalty. The appeals court upheld the judgment.
The watchdog reconsidered Royalty’s objection pursuant to the judicial acts and satisfied it in February, having finally registered the brand for Royalty.