FBK Trademarks Stalled in Europe for Eight Months
The registration of trademarks associated with Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has faced significant delays in the European Union. The Lithuanian firm Anti-corruption Foundation Europe (ACFE) submitted an application in April 2024 to register the brands "Navalny" and "Navalny" for various goods, including alcoholic beverages, tobacco, clothing, and even firearms. However, despite the application being accepted, the trademarks have not been registered for eight months, raising questions about the review process.
The ACFE, which is reportedly financed by Mikhail Khodorkovsky's structures, also sought to register the trademarks "FBK" and "ACF," along with a graphic symbol stylized as the letter "H." While "FBK" was successfully registered for services related to sponsorship and crowdfunding, the graphic symbol faced opposition from the American company Wheel Pros, which holds a patent for similar images until 2033. The trademark "ACF" was denied due to prior registration by an English company.
Legal expert Kirill Mityagin noted that the application for the "Navalny" brands was filed correctly, as evidenced by its acceptance on the agency's website. However, the prolonged delay in registration is unusual, prompting speculation about potential issues in the review process. Mityagin pointed out that if no objections arise after the examination period, the trademarks should be registered and published. He also warned that supporters of Navalny could face lawsuits for copyright infringement if they use the contested marks, with potential penalties reaching up to 5 million rubles in Russia.
