Why French Companies Are Increasingly Registering Trademarks and Inventions in Russia

In recent years, Russia has become one of the key jurisdictions for protecting intellectual property for foreign businesses. French companies in particular — from luxury fashion houses to pharmaceutical corporations and engineering firms — are showing notable activity. Despite geopolitical restrictions, the registration of trademarks and patents by French applicants in Russia continues to grow. Many of them rely on the services of a qualified russian patent attorney in Russia to ensure smooth procedures and proper legal representation.

Statistics and Dynamics

According to Rospatent and industry reports:

• In 2024, a total of 158,637 trademark applications were filed in Russia — up 10.8% compared to 2023 and 41.6% higher than in 2022.
• Applications from foreign companies rose by 19.6%, reaching 11,829 — the highest level in the last five years.
• In 2023, the number of trademark applications grew by 12%, totaling 137,400.
• Applications for patents increased by 4%, while registrations of industrial designs rose by 18%.

This shows that foreign players, including French companies, are not reducing but rather intensifying their intellectual property protection activities in Russia. The growing demand for trademark registration reflects a broader strategy of securing brand recognition in one of the largest consumer markets in Eurasia.

Why French Companies Are Active

1. Russia as a Strategic Market

Despite challenges, Russia remains a significant consumer market for French industries — from fashion and cosmetics to pharmaceuticals and machinery. Trademark protection allows companies to:

• maintain brand recognition among Russian consumers;
• ensure legal protection on major marketplaces (Ozon, Wildberries, Yandex Market);
• prevent competitors or opportunists from misusing well-known names.

Here, patent law protection in Russia provides a framework that enables foreign businesses to confidently safeguard their assets against counterfeiting and unfair competition.

2. Refilling and Legal Presence

Some French companies have temporarily suspended operations in Russia but continue to file new trademark and patent applications.
This strategy, known as “refiling,” ensures that they:

• preserve rights to brand assets even without active sales;
• block third parties from attempting to register their marks;
• prepare for a potential future return to the market.

For example, Louis Vuitton and other LVMH brands have been registering new marks, including Cyrillic versions of their logos, through local representatives and patent attorneys.

3. Combating Counterfeiting

Russia remains one of the leading markets for counterfeit goods such as clothing, cosmetics, alcohol, and pharmaceuticals — all areas where French brands are strong.

Registering trademarks enables companies to:

• demand removal of counterfeit goods from marketplaces;
• block websites using their brands illegally;
• claim damages through Russian courts.

Between 2022 and 2025, brand owners (including foreign companies) recovered more than ₽4.1 billion in compensation in Russian trademark enforcement cases, highlighting the practical value of intellectual rights protection in Russia.

4. Court Practice in Favor of Foreign Companies

Russian courts continue to rule in favor of international rights holders. For instance, in 2023, Chanel and Dior won lawsuits against sellers of counterfeit sunglasses, successfully halting illegal sales.

This proves to French businesses that Russia still offers an enforceable IP protection system, where patent attorneys can effectively represent foreign clients and safeguard their rights.

5. Innovation and Patents

French corporations in biotechnology, IT, pharmaceuticals, and engineering are actively patenting their inventions in Russia. This gives them:

• protection against unauthorized copying;
• opportunities to conclude licensing agreements with Russian partners;
• stronger bargaining positions in joint ventures.

In many cases, such applications are filed through local patent attorneys who ensure compliance with Russian regulations and provide long-term support in managing portfolios of patents and trademarks.

Conclusion: A Strategy for the Future

The registration of trademarks and patents by French companies in Russia is part of a long-term strategy. Even when physical market presence is reduced, brands continue to safeguard their intellectual property, strengthen their stance against counterfeiting, and lay the groundwork for future expansion.

📌 The key takeaway: intellectual property protection is an investment that pays off under any circumstances. French companies demonstrate that securing brands and technologies through trademark registration and patent law protection in Russia remains a priority, regardless of political and economic challenges.