Foreign companies may be prohibited to produce “Rossiysky” (Russian) cheese
The Russian State Duma plans to consider a question regarding changes to the IV part of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation. The possible changes are not definite yet and may affect other “soviet” cheese brands as well. According to the draft of legislation it is suggested to retrieve the scheme, which was in operation before 2007 and which only allowed to use certain trade marks the factories, which had produced them before 17 October 1992 and their successors.
Abolition of this scheme caused numerous lawsuits – producers couldn’t prove ownership of this or that trade mark. Thus the conflict may also influence foreign producers. At the moment one of the main producers of “Rossiysky” cheese is Belarus. Some Belorussian experts are afraid that Russia may become the only owner of all “soviet” brands.
