NEWS

The Court has enacted that Cristal champagne can be imported into Russia without any obstacles.

In continuation of "Crystal" legal proceedings news published on July 16, 2009.

On Monday, the Moscow Arbitration tribunal took the side of the French company, Champagne Louis Roederer, in its dispute with the Russian State enterprise “Sojuzplodoimport” in respect of the trademark of elite champagne Cristal in Russia, as it was informed by the “Kommersant” newspaper.

Cristal trademark was granted international registration in 1946 and in 1994 it was granted legal protection in Russia. However, in April of 2009 Rospatent acknowledged granting legal protection to Cristal trademark invalid. This was demanded by “Sojuzplodoimport” that has rights for vodka trademark Kristal, which was registered in Russia in 1974. “Sojuzplodoimport” asserted that Cristal and Kristal are “confusingly similar”.

Louis Roederer attacked this decision in the Arbitration tribunal of Moscow and on Monday, at the first sitting, Rospatent acknowledged correctness of the French company, having mentioned that “Sojuzplodoimport” within the procedure of filing a claim had missed a five - year term as information concerning legal protection of Cristal trademark was published. As a result, the Court confirmed legal protection of Cristal trademark in Russia. Therefore, this champagne can be imported into Russian without any obstacles.

Cristal Louis Roederer is the most expensive and the best champagne of Louis Roederer House. Its price starts from RUB 20,000 per a bottle. The champagne was created in 1876 for the Russia Emperor, Alexandr the Second. In a year there are produced 300-400 bottles.

Lawyers also note that Rospatent acknowledge its wrongness rarely. Experts believe it was caused by a recent change of management of “Sojuzplodoimport”. Claims to Louis Roederer from “Sojuzplodoimport” appeared while the earlier leader of the enterprise, Mr. Vladimir Loginov who was sacked in July of the current year. A former State security officer, Alexandr Churkin was appointed a new director-general. Experts note that influence of “Sojuzplodoimport” had become weaker and Rospatent did not take their side “in the case that has international resonance.”

polit.ru