RUSSIA: UDV says Moscow Smirnoff ruling "defies common sense"
By Chris Brook-Carter | 17 April 2001
UDV, owner of Smirnoff vodka, has suffered its second setback in as many weeks in its battle for the vodka trademark in the Russian market. The Moscow City Court, yesterday, ruled not to recognize the Smirnoff trademark as 'well-known' in the Russian Federation. "Yesterday's decision defies common sense," said Peter Necarsulmer, an adviser to GuinnessUDV. "The Court's finding that the world's best selling vodka brand is not 'well-known' to Russian consumers is an immediate and unpleasant reminder of the truth of Russian President Putin's recent comments about the need to reform the Russian judicial system," Necarsulmer added.
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UDV, owner of Smirnoff vodka, has suffered its second setback in as many weeks in its battle for the vodka trademark in the Russian market. The Moscow City Court, yesterday, ruled not to recognize the Smirnoff trademark as 'well-known' in the Russian Federation. "Yesterday's decision defies common sense," said Peter Necarsulmer, an adviser to GuinnessUDV. "The Court's finding that the world's best selling vodka brand is not 'well-known' to Russian consumers is an immediate and unpleasant reminder of the truth of Russian President Putin's recent comments about the need to reform the Russian judicial system," Necarsulmer added.
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