Import substitution or plagiarism

Rospatent (Russia) received an application for registration of the trademark "Uncle Vanya" (in russian - Дядя Ваня) from OOO "Russkoe Pole-Logistik" (ООО "Русское Поле-Логистик").

Vanya is a short for Ivan, a popular Russian name.

For reference:
ООО "Русское Поле-Логистик" (Russkoe Pole-Logistik) - is registered in 2002 and is located in the Moscow region.
The main type of activity is renting and management of own or leased non-residential real estate.
The share capital amounts to 1.3 million rubles. The company has one member - Telunts Tigran Eduardovich.
The group of companies produces canned vegetables under the brand name "Uncle Vanya" (Дядя Ваня).

So the brand "Uncle Vanya" did not emerge from nothing. But this is only the beginning of the story.

We think when you saw the picture you immediately had an association with the McDonald's logo (lettering style, colors). And there's a reason for that. But let's go deeper into history (literally for a few days).

• On March 8, McDonald's announced the suspension of its operations in Russia and the closure of its restaurants..
  
  
• On March 10, Volodin, Speaker of the Russian State Duma, suggested opening a place for McDonald's at Uncle Vanya's..
  
  
• On March 11, the Lentach Telegram channel published a humorous post about how foreign companies might look in the context of import substitution, including a proposal to replace McDonald's with the "Uncle Vanya" logo.
  
  
• On March 12 Rospatent received an application from OOO "Russkoe Pole-Logistik" for registration of the trademark..

So what is this, import substitution or plagiarism?

And now for the most interesting part. On the Internet there is information that OOO "Russkoe Pole-Logistik" denies that somehow connected with the application for registration of the aforementioned trademark. The fact is that the application for registration can be filed remotely and it could be used by anyone.

Regarding the application allegedly filed for registration with Rospatent, an official investigation is currently underway. The application has been posted. But we can't give any confirmation about such placement. As of today, the legal department and patent attorneys are working on the withdrawal of this application," the company's press office said.

We stay in touch with you and continue to provide assistance in checking companies around the world, opening and closing firms in Russia - contact to our specialists.

(с) Business center "DINEKA""
D.E.