Largest Russian Brewery Denied Trademark Registration

Russia’s Federal Service for Intellectual Property, Patents and Trademarks (Rospatent) has recently refused to grant to Baltika Breweries, the largest Russian brewery, the ‘Zatecky Gus’ trademark registration.

The decision is based on the fact that the trademark includes the word ‘Zatecky,’ an adjective derived from ‘Zatec,’ which is an old Czech town that produces its own beer bearing the mark Zatec. Rospatent therefore concluded that the trademark could mislead the consumers as to the origin of goods.

Baltika Breweries, based in Saint Petersburg, Russia, has argued that its reputation would prevent consumers from being misled. At the time of going to press, it was not known whether the brewery is planning to appeal Rospatent’s decision.

Baltika Breweries, part of the Carlsberg Group, is the largest brewery in Eastern Europe and Russia’s beer market leader with a 40-percent market share. It owns over 40 brands, exports its products to over 70 countries and contributes to 70 percent of Russia’s beer exports.

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Source: RAPSI, Russian Legal Information Agency