The Coca-Cola Company, the American soft drink maker, pulled operations from Russia in 2022 and has since moved to secure its brands through local patent channels. In a reported move, the company filed for three trademark registrations with Rospatent in April, covering Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Fanta. A respected business daily observed that the filings reference the beverage lineups common to both non-alcoholic drinks and carbonated waters, among other products, and fall under international classes 32 and 33 in the scope of the Nice Classification. These registrations appear to be part of a broader strategy to protect the brand in a challenging market environment, aligning with standard global practices for product identity and consumer recognition. The information is drawn from an industry database cited by the publication. Attribution: Vedomosti.
Beyond brand protection, the news coverage notes a broader set of issues tied to Russia’s stance on foreign asset management. In May, the Russian president signed a decree outlining compensation procedures for damages allegedly caused by hostile actions of the United States. The decree targets movable and immovable American property within Russia, U.S. securities, U.S. corporate shares held in Russian entities, and other US property rights, signaling a framework for potential compensation or recourse within the Russian legal system. This context helps explain the environment in which multinational firms operate in Russia and how governments formalize remedies in response to geopolitical tensions. Attribution: Vedomosti.
Earlier, in April 2023, another presidential decree established a process for transferring foreign assets into interim management when Russian assets are at risk abroad. The Federal Property Management Agency appoints an interim administrator, who exercises ownership powers over the assets on behalf of the state, with the exception of disposal rights over property and securities. This framework outlines how officials can maintain control over national assets during periods of international contention, while preserving certain protective limitations for the state. Attribution: Vedomosti.
Following Russia’s introduction of a special military operation in Ukraine, several Western brands suspended or exited operations in the Russian market. Notable examples include McDonald’s, Coca-Cola Export Corporation, Nike, Adidas, and Inditex brands such as Zara, Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti, and Bershka. These actions reflect a broader corporate recalibration in response to geopolitical risk, sanctions regimes, and market considerations. The result for Russian consumers has included shifts in product availability and brand presence across major international names. Attribution: Vedomosti.
As context for consumer trends, observers have noted changes in beverage preferences among Russians following the departure of Coca-Cola from the market. This shift underscores how geopolitical events can influence taste profiles, retail dynamics, and the competitive landscape for soft drinks and related beverages in the region. Attribution: Vedomosti.