A practical response to a brand dispute
IPPRO assists foreign rights holders with assessing trademark disputes and suspected infringement in Russia. For matters involving other EAEU markets, we first identify the relevant national rights and procedures and whether local professional participation is required. Mentioning a market does not imply an office or professional admission there.
The objective is an evidence-based plan followed by the specific correspondence or proceedings agreed with the client. Outcomes such as takedown, cancellation, settlement, damages or an injunction depend on the facts and the decision-maker; they cannot be guaranteed.
When to contact us
- A third party has filed a similar mark or a distributor claims ownership;
- your brand appears on allegedly unauthorized products, websites, packaging or advertisements;
- you receive a platform complaint, demand letter or infringement allegation;
- a distribution or licence agreement leaves ownership and use rights unclear;
- a customs-related brand issue needs procedural assessment.
Service process
- Triage and conflict check. Identify the parties, conduct alleged, date of receipt and response deadline.
- Rights review. Examine registrations, applications, licences and the ownership chain in the relevant country.
- Evidence plan. Discuss preservation of webpages, correspondence, purchases, samples and transaction records.
- Options and risk. Compare communication, platform procedures, administrative steps and litigation where applicable.
- Agreed action. Prepare and progress the instructed work. Settlement terms remain subject to the client's approval.
- Follow-through. Discuss execution, monitoring, contractual improvements or additional filings in light of the outcome.
Information needed
- Relevant registrations, application details and ownership or licence documents;
- the opposing party's details, URLs and the date the conduct was found;
- product images, purchase records and relevant platform communications;
- letters, official notices and service or response dates;
- distribution, supply or licence agreements relevant to the dispute;
- your commercial objective and any response already made.
Preserve original records. Do not alter material to make a complaint stronger. If a deadline is approaching, flag it immediately rather than waiting for a complete evidence file.
Territorial limits and litigation risk
One national trademark registration should not be treated as a substitute for protection throughout the EAEU. Validity, jurisdiction, evidence, customs measures and execution require country-specific analysis. Similar branding does not automatically establish infringement, and a platform takedown is not a court finding.
Counterclaims, invalidity challenges, evidential gaps and difficulties of execution can influence strategy. Fees are scoped by stage and task; damages and completion times are not promised. Current legal, payment and other engagement requirements are reviewed for the individual instruction.
Who will act for you
IPPRO confirms the responsible team, scope and any necessary local representation after conflict checking and review. International counsel can start with a short chronology, rights numbers, the target country and the nearest deadline. Confidential documents are transferred through an agreed channel.
Official starting point for Russian rights information: Rospatent (Russian). The applicable rules and procedural options are verified for each matter.