Partial Loss for Bershka in Russia
Hong Kong-based Multigoods Production Ltd. filed a lawsuit to revoke protection for three Bershka trademarks held by Spanish fashion group Inditex (Case No. СИП-805/2024). In July 2025, the court partially granted the claim, cancelling protection for non-core product categories. However, trademarks for clothing and footwear — considered widely recognized among Russian consumers — were upheld.
Starbucks Retains Its Marks
In May 2025, the IP Court rejected a claim by Russian entrepreneur Anton Pinsky to cancel several Starbucks trademarks (Case No. СИП-420/2024). The court agreed with Starbucks Corporation that its brand enjoys strong recognition in Russia and that Pinsky’s “Stars Coffee” branding was visually and conceptually distinct. Importantly, the court noted that Russian consumers could differentiate between the two brands, given extensive media coverage of Stars Coffee’s takeover of former Starbucks locations.
Pending and Emerging Cases
- Ray-Ban: Russian optical chain Eyekraft seeks to cancel three trademarks held by Luxottica Group (Case No. СИП-582/2025) but faces setbacks due to procedural issues.
- T-Mobile: Russian T-Bank is pursuing cancellation of multiple T-Mobile marks owned by Deutsche Telekom (Case No. СИП-593/2025), alleging non-use across a wide range of goods and services.
Broader Trends and Takeaways
- Rise in Non-Use Claims: The IP Court received 614 non-use cancellation filings in 2024, up from 509 in 2023, with settlements also increasing.
- Strategic Lawsuits: Multigoods Production Ltd. Alone filed over 20 claims in 2024, targeting diverse brands — from Michelin to Victoria’s Secret — often without even attempting to register similar marks. Instead, it presented cooperation agreements with Russian businesses to demonstrate “interest.”
- Consumer Recognition as a Shield: Courts increasingly rely on the concept of "well-known marks" to preserve protection for globally recognized brands. However, this is not a guaranteed defense.