# Trademark registration in Russia

> Trademarks in Russia are registered with the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent). A registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed. Russia can be designated through the Madrid System.

Source page: https://trademarkshub.com/trademarks/russia
Facts checked against official sources: 2026-10-11

## Key facts
- **Trademark office:** Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent)
- **Madrid Protocol:** Member since 1997
- **Opposition period:** No formal pre-registration opposition period
- **Protection:** 10 years from the filing date, renewable
- **Multi-class applications:** Allowed
- **Foreign applicants:** Persons permanently residing outside Russia and foreign legal entities must act before Rospatent through a patent attor…

## Official links
- Trademark office: https://rospatent.gov.ru/en
- Law: Civil Code of the Russian Federation, Part Four (Chapter 76, §2: trademarks) — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/23256
- Law: Order No. 482 of the Ministry of Economic Development of 20 July 2015 (rules for filing and examining trademark applications) — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/20789
- Law: Government Decision No. 941 of 10 December 2008 on patent and other fees — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/20311

## Steps
1. Search existing Russian and international registrations for conflicting marks.
2. Applicants based outside Russia appoint a patent attorney registered with Rospatent.
3. File one application per mark with Rospatent, in Russian, with the mark, its description and the goods and services grouped by Nice class.
4. Rospatent carries out a formal examination within one month of filing and accepts the application or refuses to accept it.
5. Information about the application is published in Rospatent's official bulletin; until a decision is taken, any person may submit written observations against registration.
6. Rospatent examines the designation on absolute and relative grounds; the applicant has three months (extendable by up to six months) to answer requests for additional materials.
7. If the decision is positive, the mark is entered in the State Register of Trademarks and a certificate is issued.

- **Examination:** Rospatent conducts a formal examination (within one month of filing) and then a substantive examination of the designation on absolute and relative grounds. No statutory deadline for the substantive stage was verified.
- **Publication:** Information about filed applications is published in Rospatent's official bulletin.
- **Opposition:** No formal pre-registration opposition period. After an application is published, any person may file written observations with Rospatent until the registration decision (Civil Code Art. 1493).
- **Late renewal:** Renewal is requested in the last year of the term; on request, a further 6 months after expiry is allowed to file it (Civil Code Art. 1491).
- **Power of attorney:** The representative's authority must be confirmed by a power of attorney (Civil Code Art. 1247). Notarisation or legalisation requirements were not verified.
- **Language:** Russian; supporting documents in other languages need a Russian translation, which can be supplied within two months of the office's request
- **Use requirement:** a registration can be challenged after 3 years of non-use.

## Good to know
- There is no opposition stage before registration; third parties instead submit written observations to Rospatent while the application is pending.
- A mark unused for three continuous years can be cancelled in court, but the challenger must first send the owner a proposal to surrender or assign the mark and wait two months before suing (Civil Code Art. 1486).
- Applications must be filed in Russian, and only Russian citizens resident in Russia can act as registered patent attorneys.
- One application covers one mark but can list goods and services in several Nice classes; a 10-year term counts from the filing date, not the registration date.

## FAQ
### Is Russia part of the Madrid Protocol?
Yes. The Madrid Protocol has been in force for Russia since 10 June 1997.

### How long is a trademark valid in Russia?
Ten years from the filing date, renewable for further 10-year periods without limit; renewal is filed in the last year of the term, or within a 6-month grace period after expiry on request.

### Is there a trademark opposition period in Russia?
No. Russia has no pre-registration opposition period; after publication of the application, anyone may send Rospatent written observations until the registration decision.

### Do foreign companies need a Russian patent attorney to register a trademark?
Yes. Foreign legal entities and persons living outside Russia must act through a patent attorney registered with Rospatent, unless a treaty provides otherwise.

### How long can a trademark go unused in Russia?
A mark not used for three continuous years can be cancelled for the unused goods or services, after a mandatory pre-trial proposal to the owner.

## Sources
- WIPO Lex – Russian Federation profile: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/members/profile/RU
- WIPO Lex – Civil Code (Parts One to Four): https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/23256
- WIPO – Madrid Protocol contracting parties: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/treaties/ShowResults?search_what=C&treaty_id=8

Need a firm that files in Russia? Find one at https://trademarkshub.com/trademarks/russia (TrademarksHub lists IP firms by country; featured placements are paid and labelled).
General information, not legal advice.