Russia: Soft drinks company files lawsuit seeking termination of Heineken’s Krusovice beer trademark protection

The Moscow Commercial Court has registered a lawsuit against Heineken Ceska republica beer producer. It was filed by the Aqualife soft drinks company, which seeks the termination of the Krusovice trademark's legal protection, a court spokesman was quoted as saying by RAPSI on February, 7.

According to the Register of the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent), the Krusovice brand was registered in Russia in 2004 as the property of Heineken Ceska republica in relation to just one commodity, beer, and the registration expiry date is September 2013.

The suit was filed on January 22, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for February 26.

One of the biggest brewing companies in the world, Heineken operates in 71 countries, including Russia, where it began business in February 2002 after buying its first brewery in St. Petersburg. Currently Heineken owns eight breweries in Russia. The company's portfolio comprises around 30 brands, including the popular international trademarks Heineken, Amstel Premium Pilsener, Zlaty Bazant, Guinness and Desperados.

08 February, 2013