Russian Antimonopoly Service Stops Imitation of DANZKA Vodka Trade Dress

The Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation (FAS) has reviewed a complaint filed by Sojuzpatent on behalf of its client, Waldemar Ben GmbH (Germany), the manufacturer of DANZKA vodka, which is widely sold in distinctive stylized aluminum bottles. The complaint alleged that Kaluga Distillery Kristall LLC was marketing its PALMIRA vodka in packaging that imitates DANZKA’s trade dress in an attempt to benefit from the established brand’s reputation.

FAS found that introducing vodka into civil circulation in the Russian Federation in trade dress imitating the applicant’s product constitutes unfair competition under Article 14.6(2) of the Law “On Protection of Competition.” FAS ordered Kristall LLC to cease introducing PALMIRA vodka into civil circulation in the Russian Federation in packaging imitating DANZKA vodka.