To help Chinese companies effectively address IP risks in the Russia-Eurasia market, the internationally renowned law firm Gorodissky & Partners, in collaboration with the Intellectual Property Observers, held a seminar in Beijing on September 19, 2025, themed "Striking IP Gold in Russia-Eurasian Market: A Comprehensive Guide to IP Protection Strategies." The seminar focused on practical operations related to IP applications, portfolio management, enforcement, and compliance in the Russian-language jurisdictions, with a team of senior partners from Gorodissky & Partners' Moscow office leading the discussions. They shared the latest strategies in patent, trademark, design, and cross-border IP enforcement.

The seminar provided a comprehensive guide for Chinese enterprises, systematically analyzing the characteristics of the Russian and Eurasian IP system, the latest legal policies, and notable case studies. Participants included corporate IP managers, industry experts, and IP professionals, engaging in lively discussions throughout the session. The event offered attendees not only a thorough understanding of the IP legal environment in the Russian and Eurasian market but also practical and actionable advice to protect innovation and safeguard commercial value in this strategically important emerging market.

Opening Remarks

During the opening address at the seminar, Mr. Du Zhong, Secretary-General of the Beijing Patent Attorneys Association(BPA), highlighted the ongoing deepening of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, with bilateral trade surpassing USD 244.8 billion in 2024. He emphasized the fruitful collaborations in energy, manufacturing, and high-tech industries, underscoring the growing significance of IP in driving innovation and ensuring trade security.

Mr. Du Zhong noted that Chinese-Russian IP cooperation has evolved from basic patent protection to a broader, multi-layered partnership encompassing joint R&D, technology transfer, commercialization, and cross-border enforcement. 

Reflecting on recent trends, Mr. Du identified three key characteristics of Chinese companies' IP strategies in Russia and the broader Eurasian region:

Strategic Upgrades: Transitioning from "product export" to "brand export" and "technology export," requiring more forward-looking and systematic IP strategies.

Regional Expansion: Extending beyond the Russian market to countries such as Kazakhstan and Belarus, with a focus on regional coordination within the Eurasian Economic Union.

Shift in Focus: Moving from merely "obtaining rights" to "managing, utilizing, and protecting IP," highlighting the growing emphasis on IP operations and risk management.

He also candidly discussed the challenges Chinese companies face in their overseas IP operations, such as the pressures of varying examination procedures and costs across countries, compliance issues arising from legal and cultural differences, and the difficulties of trademark squatting and cross-border enforcement.He emphasized that the seminar's topics were highly pertinent and would help Chinese companies directly address their pain points. Moreover, by leveraging Gorodissky & Partners' local practical experience, businesses could find more actionable solutions to these challenges.

Yury Kuznetsov: Russian–Chinese Economic Summary and Opportunities in Intellectual Property

Yury Kuznetsov, Senior Partner and Head of Patent Practice at Gorodissky & Partners, provided a detailed review of the development of Chinese-Russian relations and analyzed current data and projects to identify future opportunities.

Mr. Kuznetsov noted that between 2022 and 2025, total trade between China and Russia grew by 52% and the use of the Chinese yuan in financial operations increased to 100%. He presented data showing that by the end of 2025, China's share of Russia's external trade is expected to exceed 40%, making China Russia's largest economic partner. At the same time, Russia is China's fifth-largest trade partner. 

Mr. Kuznetsov also emphasized the breadth of cooperation across key sectors, including energy, mining, petrochemicals, metallurgy, automotive manufacturing, and space exploration.

In the field of intellectual property, Mr. Kuznetsov referenced official statistics from the Russian Patent Office, which show that China is the largest non-resident source of patent, utility model, and industrial design applications in Russia.

Mr. Kuznetsov concluded his presentation with several key data points illustrating the continued growth of Chinese-Russian trade. In 2024, the number of Chinese companies registered in Russia grew by 41%, reaching 11,300. Chinese automobile exports to Russia increased by 30.5%, totaling USD 15.2 billion. These figures demonstrate that the patent strategies and operational practices of Chinese companies in Russia are becoming integral to the continued growth of bilateral relations.

Yury Kuznetsov: Patent Procedures with Russian and Eurasian Patent Offices 

Following his first presentation, Yury Kuznetsov delivered a detailed presentation on the differences and similarities between the Russian Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) and Eurasian Patent Organization(EAPO) in terms of patent application and examination procedures, while offering strategic recommendations tailored to the needs of Chinese companies.

Mr. Kuznetsov explained that the Eurasian Patent System has been in operation since 1995, and this year marks its 30th anniversary. Once granted, an Eurasian patent automatically takes effect in all member states, eliminating the need for individual validation, which makes it particularly advantageous for regional protection.

For patent applications in Russia or Eurasia, applicants can use either the Paris Convention or the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) route. The deadline for entering the Russian national phase or the Eurasian regional phase through PCT is 31 months from the priority date, slightly longer than the 30-month deadline in most other countries. Notably, there is no requirement to submit a Russian translation at the time of filing. Applicants can submit the translation later, providing greater flexibility in filing strategies. However, Mr. Kuznetsov cautioned that translations must be accurate and faithful to the original text. Obvious translation errors that cannot be supported by the original application materials may not be correctable in later stages.

Mr. Kuznetsov placed special emphasis on the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) between Russia, Eurasia, and China. The PPH mechanism has now been extended indefinitely, significantly reducing the examination timeline, cutting down on applicant time and procedural burdens.

Mr. Kuznetsov also addressed concerns about utility models, a subject of particular interest for Chinese applicants. In Russia, utility models are limited to apparatus-type technical solutions, with a single independent claim per application. Importantly, the doctrine of equivalents does not apply in infringement cases. While utility models offer faster examination and lower costs, their scope of protection and remedies are more limited than those of invention patents. Therefore, utility models should be used cautiously as a supplementary strategy.

In addition, Mr. Kuznetsov emphasized the importance for businesses to carefully consider the differences between the Russian and Eurasian patent paths when formulating their patent strategies. He introduced the "Russia + 2 ≈ Eurasia" cost-effective approach. If a company's target market includes at least two other Eurasian member states in addition to Russia, filing a Eurasian patent is more efficient. 

Viacheslav Rybchak: Design Protection in Russia and Eurasia

Viacheslav Rybchak, Partner and Head of the Design Department at Gorodissky & Partners, provided an in-depth overview of the design protection frameworks in Russia and Eurasia, offering practical guidance for Chinese businesses operating in these regions, supported by the latest statistical data.

Mr. Rybchak outlined three primary avenues for securing design protection in Russia: national applications, the Eurasian design system, and the Hague System for international design registrations, which can designate Russia or other Eurasian countries. Since its implementation in June 2021, the Eurasian design system has allowed applicants to file a single application, granting protection across all member states without the need for additional national validation.

According to recent statistics, Russia saw an 11.4% increase in design applications in 2024, with Chinese companies remaining the most active foreign applicants. At the Eurasian level, the number of applications in 2024 was 562, covering 1,204 designs, with Chinese companies again leading among foreign applicants. This indicates a growing demand for design protection from Chinese enterprises in the region.

In terms of fees, the official costs for both the Russian and Eurasian systems are lower than those of the Hague system. The Eurasian route, therefore, offers a more cost-effective option for multi-country design protection.

Regarding design protection requirements, Russia allows for multiple designs to be covered under a single application, including those with non-essential differences, such as color variations. The Eurasian system permits the protection of up to 100 similar designs under one application, provided they belong to the same international classification.

As for patentability, both Russia and the Eurasian region require designs to meet the criteria of novelty and originality, with a 12-month grace period for filing. Russian examination is more stringent, involving a comprehensive information search, while Eurasian examination does not conduct such an in-depth search.

Alexander Nesterov: Trademark Prosecution in Russia–Specific Features and Developments

Alexander Nesterov, Partner and Trademark Attorney at Gorodissky & Partners, shared the latest trends and practical considerations for navigating Russia's trademark registration system.

Mr. Nesterov provided an overview of trademark filing statistics. According to Rospatent, the number of trademark applications in Russia increased by 10.79% in 2024, with applications from Russian applicants rising by 11.74%. Foreign applicants saw a 19.57% increase. Chinese companies saw a particularly significant increase among foreign applications, filing 20% more applications in 2024 compared to 2023. Key areas for Chinese applicants include computer hardware, electronics, clothing and footwear, vehicles, and retail services.

Mr. Nesterov then explained key features of Russia's trademark system. Russia follows a “first-to-file” principle, meaning trademarks are protected from registration, not use. Prior use rights do not exist, and trademarks must be used as registered, with only minor variations allowed. It is advised to register all versions of a trademark in use, including different colors and fonts.

Regarding considerations for Chinese applicants. Mr. Nesterov noted that while Latin letters are widely recognized by Russian consumers, many are unfamiliar with Asian languages such as Chinese. As a result, Chinese characters are often treated as graphic trademarks in practice. He recommended that Chinese businesses register both Latin and Cyrillic versions of their trademarks to broaden their protection and prevent third parties from registering similar marks.

In addition, Mr. Nesterov cautioned that some Asian words might sound similar to Russian profanity and could be refused for violating public morals. Therefore, it's crucial to consult with local experts to avoid such issues.

Sergey Medvedev: IP Transactions Compliance: Mitigating Risks in Technology Licensing, Assignments & Franchising

Sergey Medvedev, Senior Partner and Head of Legal Department at Gorodissky & Partners, provided a detailed analysis of Russia's legal framework, system features, and compliance requirements in IP transactions.

Mr. Medvedev explained that intellectual property in Russia eligible for transaction includes patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, computer software, and databases. However, geographical indications, appellations of origin, and company names cannot be used as transaction objects. Notably, while trade names cannot be registered independently, they can be included in franchising agreements in actual business operations.

On compliance requirements, Mr. Medvedev stressed that all agreements must be in writing and meet legal requirements. While notarization or legalization is not required, agreements involving registrable intellectual property (such as patents and trademarks) must be registered with Rospatent. In practice, companies often use simplified "notification documents" to avoid disclosing sensitive commercial terms. The registration process usually takes about two months, and applicants must provide any missing materials within three months if the application is incomplete.

Mr. Medvedev highlighted key compliance risks that companies should watch for in specific clauses:

Transfer agreements must clearly state "full transfer of rights" to avoid being considered a license.

Trademark licenses must include quality control provisions to prevent both the licensor and the licensee from being held liable for substandard products.

Franchising agreements often involve non-compete clauses, price restrictions, and territorial limitations, which must be carefully structured to avoid antitrust concerns.

Franchisees are entitled to a right of first renewal, provided they have fulfilled their obligations under the agreement, to protect their investment.

Evgeny Alexandrov：IP Enforcement in the Russia-Eurasia Market: Customs Seizure, Litigation & Maximizing Damages

Evgeny Alexandrov, Senior Partner and Head of Legal, Trademark & Design Practice at Gorodissky & Partners, provided a detailed overview of IP enforcement in Russia and the EAEU, offering practical guidance for Chinese companies doing business in these regions.

Mr. Alexandrov emphasized the range of legal channels available to rights holders, including administrative procedures, civil litigation, criminal enforcement, and customs protection. The Russian Federal Customs Service's IP recordation system allows rights holders to register their IP and prevent the import or export of counterfeit goods. 

Mr. Alexandrov discussed the various remedies available under Russian law, which include injunctions, property seizures, damages, statutory compensation, and destruction of infringing goods. In trademark cases, rights holders can either claim actual damages or statutory compensation.

Supported by enforcement cases, Mr. Alexandrov outlined three typical risks for businesses. First, trademark squatting, where some companies find themselves in a passive position due to failing to register trademarks in time. Second, parallel imports, a practice permitted in Russia since 2022 for certain products, which complicates enforcement actions. Third, OEM cooperation, where trademark disputes can arise even if the product is not directly sold in Russia. In the fields of e-commerce and logistics, joint infringement cases often occur. Mr. Alexandrov emphasized the importance of heightened vigilance and proactive measures to mitigate these risks.