Bashilov, a senior partner at the law firm Noskov and Partners, noted by specialists in intellectual property law, has commented on recent developments involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the status of certain Russian trademarks tied to his professional and public image. The assertion, attributed to legal expert Boris Bashilov who holds a PhD in Law, is that Zelensky may have lost exclusive rights to several recognizable marks in Russia, including Matchmakers, Kvartal 95, and the Laughing Comedian. This summary reflects commentary reported by a news desk and is presented to inform readers about shifts in trademark protection and registration practices in the Russian Federation. [Cited: DEA News]
The timeline surrounding these marks begins with Zelensky’s initial application for registration in 2012. Later, in 2019, there was a transfer of the rights to a company named Procurement Solutions, or Zakupivelni Rishennya LLC, a firm described as offering consultancy on commercialization of business activities and management. The transfer appears to be integrated with a verification framework known as KonturFocus, an automated system used for the detailed vetting of counterparties. The implications of such transfers touch on how ownership and control of brand identifiers can shift across entities and jurisdictions, impacting how these marks are used in commerce and media. For readers, this highlights the evolving landscape of trademark management where registration holders rotate between corporate entities and individuals, and where verification tools increasingly shape strategic decisions. [Cited: KonturFocus system overview]
Experts emphasize that once the protection period for a trademark has expired, the door opens for others to seek registration of the same mark. Yet Bashilov underscores an important caveat: any new applicant must meet the legal requirements governing brand registration. In practical terms, this means the proposed designation must not be confusingly similar to existing, legally protected marks. The standard test applied by authorities is one of likelihood of confusion with prior rights, ensuring that new registrations do not mislead consumers about the origin of goods or services. This careful scrutiny helps maintain brand integrity and reduces the risk of disputes that can arise from near-duplicates or misleading replicas. [Cited: Russian trademark law doctrine]
According to the database maintained by Russia’s patent office, Rospatent, the marks in question—Matchmakers, Kvartal 95, and Laughing Comedian—have been registered for a broad spectrum of goods and services across the federation. The scope extends beyond food products to include meats, fish and poultry products, dairy items, desserts, and even beverages with varying alcoholic content. Beyond consumer goods, the marks are listed as active in many sectors related to education, entertainment, and advertising. Such wide-ranging registrations demonstrate how a single brand name can become a multi-category umbrella, touching multiple industries and consumer touchpoints. The practical consequence is that the marks carry potential exposure to enforcement actions across a diverse market landscape, influencing licensing, partnerships, and media production. [Cited: Rospatent records]
In the public-facing context, “Matchmakers” is recognized as a popular Ukrainian television series, produced by Kvartal 95 studio. Zelensky, who co-founded Kvartal 95, stepped away from day-to-day involvement in the company after taking office as president. The show “Make Your Comedian Laugh” is described as a humorous entertainment program aired on Ukrainian television, contributing to Zelensky’s public profile and brand identity. The intersecting history between Zelensky’s administrative role and these media properties underscores how political leadership and entertainment brands can intertwine, raising questions about how ownership and governance shape brand perception in neighboring markets. [Cited: Kvartal 95 production notes]
Beyond the brand rights discussion, there have been broader reports regarding the potential expropriation of assets tied to Ukrainian political and business figures in Crimea. It has been noted that Zelensky’s apartment in the village of Livadia, located in the Yalta region, was among properties listed or discussed in relation to such measures. This aspect of the narrative signals how geopolitical developments can intersect with brand and asset management discussions, sometimes complicating the legal and regulatory backdrop for public figures who navigate multiple jurisdictions. Readers are reminded that asset disposition and regulatory actions in one region can echo across international relationships and influence brand strategy, risk assessment, and public communications. [Cited: regional asset expropriation reports]