Global Trademark GO - Russia - Introduction to Russian Trademark Application

It is possible to apply for service marks, collective marks, three-dimensional marks, sound marks and packaging trade dress in Russia. Only one of the Latin or Cyrillic trademarks can be chosen for protection. If a trademark is registered in Latin, the Cyrillic trademark will not be automatically protected, and vice versa. Russia has joined the Madrid Agreement on the International Registration of Marks and the Protocol Relevant to the Madrid Agreement on the International Registration of Marks. Chinese applicants can designate Russia through the Madrid International Registration of Marks, or directly submit a Russian trademark registration application to Rospatent to obtain a Russian trademark. You can protect a trademark in Latin or Cyrillic, but a Cyrillic trademark is not automatically protected if it is registered in Latin, and vice versa.

1. Trademark authority:

• Russian Federal Intellectual Property Service
• English: Federal Service for Intellectual Property, ROSPATENT
• Website: Rospatent. Main page
• Trademark search: Home (fips.ru)

2. How to apply for trademark registration:

• paper submission
• electronic submission

3. Trademark registration application language:

• Russian

4. Documents required for trademark registration application:

• Applicant information
• Trademark pattern
• List of goods and/or services
• The priority document can be submitted within 3 months from the filing date.
• Power of attorney (unless required by the Patent Office, the original power of attorney is not required)

5. Russian trademark registration application process:

• In Russia, trademark applications require formal examination and substantive examination. In Russia, the unofficial objection period is the entire review period before an authorization decision is made.

6. Trademark cancellation

• If a Russian trademark has not been used for three consecutive years after registration, the relevant third party may request the court to revoke the trademark.
• In Russia, trademark rights holders must strictly fulfill their obligations to use the trademark, and the trademark holder or registration license holder must prove that they have actually used the trademark. Russian authorities may require the submission of customs documents, distribution agreements or invoices as proof of use.

7. Trademark objections

• Russian IP law does not clearly provide for an official objection period.

8. Authorization, validity period and trademark renewal

• The authorization fee must be paid within two months of the authorization decision. Trademark licensing fees can be paid within 6 months from the overdue date, subject to a 50% late payment fee. A registered trademark in Russia is valid for 10 years from the date of application and can be renewed every 10 years. Renewal requests should be made within the last year of the first ten years of validity. The grace period is 6 months for an additional fee. Expired trademarks cannot be reinstated after the grace period has expired.

9. Average time for trademark authorization

• The average time from application to trademark registration in Russia is 12-24 months.

10. Madrid registration

• In Russia, the applicant may respond to a provisional refusal of an international registration within 6 months from the official issuance of the refusal. It is not possible to apply for an extension. Replies should be translated into Russian. A registered Russian agent must be entrusted to respond. The Office will not entertain appeals or amendments.