From Russia with Hate

 

Just a quick commentary on the exciting world of Trademarks. Currently, the Russian Federation is engaged in an aggressive campaign against its neighbour Ukraine, in response, the UK, USA, European Union and other nations imposed extensive sanctions on the economy of the Russian Federation. And in response to that many international companies, but certainly not all, pulled out of the country to avoid getting hit with an asset freeze.

 It's quite a complex picture, with calls to boycott the companies that remain and investigations in allegations of evasion and fraudulent sell-offs. Some of this market talk revolves around Trademarks, companies renewing trademarks in the Russian Federation or losing their trademarks, which are seen as examples of the Russian state's gangster attitudes or the two faced opportunism of international finance. 

The truth is, it's an example of both. In the Russian Federation Trademarks lapse if they haven't been used for 3 years, and while the armed forces of the Russian Federation have been in Ukraine since 2014 the escalation of conflict in 2022 means that the deadline for many foreign companies is coming up very soon. It's a no win scenario for them (now they know how it feels for once) maintaining activity with Russia, paying fees for renewal etc. It is seen as evidence of continued financial support for the Russian government which it obviously is, by continuing to operate even a token way to meet the bare minimum does give its Government some revenue and the ability to use them in its propaganda. 

But cutting out completely leaves their brands open to hi-jacking by competitors. You can see the bind they're in, but I don't care at all, if I'm honest. That's literally the costs of doing business, this isn't even unique to the Russian market, trademarks expire and get taken by another company all over the world, the reason this is notable is the scale of potential trademark losses in the Russian market. If the international business community stays out of the Russian economy, they will lose some brand recognition to a few rivals. It's not fair, but when is business ever fair? Personally speaking, my focus is on stopping this war and preventing other wars, Burger King losing its trademark dispute in Australia meant it had to rebrand as Hungry Jacks, I don't think that's a major cost when the multinational capitalists get to go back to profiting in Russia.