Trademark filings continue to grow in Russia

22.4.2020

Did you know that the number of trademark applications again increased in Russia in 2019? There were over 10 000 more national trademark filings and 1 400 more international trademark filings than in 2018.

1.     All trademark applications

All trademark applications in Russia in 2019:

  • 68 705 national trademark applications
  • 18 804 international trademark applications filed through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and designating Russia
  • 10 512 rejection decisions

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Total number of national trademark applications 44476 43762 50639 56332 58658 68 705
Total number of International TMs 16712 17715 14123 17178 17404 18804
Number of rejection decisions 11988 10271 8596 9035 9507 10512

 2. National new trademark applications

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Russian applicants 34174 34304 41523 46600 49122 58616
Foreign applicants 10302 9458 9116 9732 9536 10089
Total 44476 43762 50639 56332 58658 68705

About 15% of national applications were filed by foreigners. See below the top foreign filers:

These statistics show that in spite of international sanctions placed against Russia, Russia is still an attractive country in terms of intellectual property rights protection. Further, the numbers demonstrate that national filings are still a more popular way to protect trademarks.

“The reason for companies to file more national trademark applications is twofold: Russian applicants file national applications because trademarks are mostly used and protected in Russian Cyrillic characters which are used in Russia”, explains Papula-Nevinpat’s Riikka Palmos, Trademark Lawyer.

“In addition, foreign companies file national applications to cover the Cyrillic version of their trademarks in Russia because protecting a trademark in Cyrillic as an international trademark in Russia is not reasonable, as there are different Cyrillic characters used in different CIS countries”, adds Riikka.

3. Refusal of a trademark application

Sometimes the Russian Patent Office, Rospatent, refuses a trademark application. The examiner’s refusal can be first appealed to the Patent Disputes Chamber (PDC) of Rospatent. The decision of the PDC can be further appealed to the IP Court.

The following numbers show that the Court tends to follow Rospatent’s decisions. This demonstrates that appeals filed with the IP Court must be well prepared and grounded in order to be successful.

2018 2019
Number of appeals against Rospatent’s decisions at Court 226 257
Appeals accepted 52 64
Appeals refused 174 193

 

Do you need help in protecting your brand also in Russia? We at Papula-Nevinpat would be happy to assist you in all trademark matters in Russia and the Eurasia region.

News

Ukraine ends special wartime IP rules – prepare for return to standard deadlines

Please be informed that on 16 April 2025, the Ukrainian Parliament adopted a new law that cancels the special wartime IP rules enacted in 2022. These rules temporarily suspended various deadlines and extended IP rights during the martial law period. The new law will enter into force 30 days after its official publication, following signature by the President of Ukraine.

Papula-Nevinpat won the Finland Patent Prosecution Firm of the Year at the MIP EMEA Awards 2025

We are excited to announce that Papula-Nevinpat has won the Finland Patent Prosecution Firm of the Year at the Managing IP EMEA Awards 2025!

What’s new in Russia’s turbulent IP landscape?

International companies with trademarks registered in Russia face challenges in maintaining their rights. We examine the latest developments and how trademark holders can respond.

Riikka Palmos and Jussi Mikkola of Papula-Nevinpat have secured their positions in the top tiers by WTR 1000 for 2025

Papula-Nevinpat’s trademark practice has once again been recognized in the top tier of the 2025 edition of the World Trademark Review 1000.