Protect your brand in Russia & EAEU: why IP registration cannot wait

The recent changes to Russia’s intellectual property laws have made it more important than ever for foreign businesses to secure their trademarks and patents. The maximum compensation for IP violations has doubled from 5 million to 10 million RUB (≈ €110,000) per infringement, meaning the risks of operating without proper protection have never been higher.

Russia’s first-to-file system means your brand could be vulnerable to competitors or trademark squatters. We have seen cases where companies lost rights to their own brand names simply because someone registered them first, and had to fight very hard to take them back.

The situation becomes even more urgent when you consider that over one million trademarks are already registered in Russia. Without protection, you risk not just legal battles but potentially losing access to the entire EAEU market.

Registering your IP does more than just prevent legal issues — it actively helps combat counterfeiting, as Customs officials tend to check registered trademarks and have the authority to block fake goods at the border.

The process is more straightforward than many businesses realize. A smooth trademark registration in Russia typically takes 6-10 months with costs being less than €1,000. Considering the potential fines and business disruptions at stake, this is a relatively small investment for extra peace of mind.

With Russia and EAEU markets continuing to grow, especially in e-commerce and consumer goods, delaying IP protection could prove costly. The question is not whether you can afford to register your IP — it is whether you can afford not to.

Protecting your intellectual property now could save your business significant time and money in the future.

If you have any questions or need our assistance in obtaining IP protection, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@patentica.com.