The British company Telegram Messenger LLP has received permission from Rospatent for a trademark in Russia, Vedomosti
writes . Trademark registration in all countries is a standard legal procedure. It has nothing to do with opposition to the Russian authorities and blocking the messenger in Russia. Moreover, the registration procedure began long before the blocking. It was just the first time in August 2017 that the trademark registration service refused on the grounds that the word Telegram is too similar to the common word “telegram”.
Telegram lawyers had to file an objection. They objected that only “Russian Post” works with telegrams in Russia, and only sends them, but does not create them. The most important thing is that Telegram Messenger LLP does not pretend to send telegrams via the Post of Russia, but only electronic messages in the messenger.
The Institute of Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences conducted a survey of public opinion, which confirmed the point of view of a British company: indeed, people distinguish Telegram from other names. At the same time, the majority of respondents associate it with Durov, said in the conclusion of the RAS.
During consideration of the application from last year, the popularity of the messenger has increased significantly - and this also helped to convince the specialists of Rospatent. According to Mediascope, in April 2018, Telegram's audience in Russia amounted to 11.5 million people.
So, at the meeting of the Board of Rospatent it was recommended to allow Telegram Messenger LLP to register the Telegram trademark in Russia. Now with his registration there should be no problems.
This trademark is already registered in the European Union and Georgia, and also accepted for registration in Belarus and Tajikistan. A trademark recommended for registration prohibits its unauthorized use by unauthorized persons. Telegram will now be able to sue the person who decided to use the trademark from the moment when the application was filed with Rospatent.