Who it is for
Anyone who has not filed yet and wants to know whether the name can be registered in Russia.
What you get
A written report: similar marks found, the risk of refusal and what to do about it.
Cost and timing
From CNY 550; word + logo CNY 900. Report within 3 business days. No official fees.
Why search before you file
The filing and examination fees (from CNY 1,350) are not refunded if the mark is refused, and examination takes months. A search costs from CNY 550 and shows the risk in advance: until you file, you can still change the mark or narrow the list of goods. Common grounds for refusal are covered in the guide.
How the search works
- You send the name and logo
Add the goods and services you plan to sell in Russia.
- I look for similar marks
I check registered marks and earlier applications for identical or similar goods and services (Russian Civil Code, Art. 1483(6)).
- I assess the risk
I compare sound, look and meaning the way a Rospatent examiner does. I also check for descriptiveness and lack of distinctiveness (Art. 1483(1)), and for the risk of misleading consumers (Art. 1483(3)).
- You receive the report
It lists the marks found, the risk level and my recommendations.
up to 3 business days
What is in the report
- Conflicting marks found: registration numbers, classes and owners
- Refusal risk: low, medium or high, with reasons
- Recommendations: file as is, change the mark, narrow the goods or choose another option
- Nice classes for your goods and a first estimate of official fees
- Notes on how the name sounds and what it means in Russian, so the brand does not carry unwanted associations
Please note
A search lowers the risk but does not guarantee registration: the decision is Rospatent's. New applications arrive every day, so it is best to file soon after the search.
How to check Russian trademarks yourself
Rospatent's trademark records are public, so you can run a first check yourself:
- FIPS open registers: Russian trademark registrations and applications, viewed by registration or application number (the interface is in Russian).
- WIPO Madrid Monitor: international registrations designating Russia and their status.
- WIPO Global Brand Database: search by mark text in trademark data from many countries.
A do-it-yourself search usually finds only identical spellings. The examiner also compares sound, appearance and meaning, including transliteration between Latin letters and Cyrillic, and such similar marks are easy to miss. Before filing, a professional search is worth it.
How much a trademark search costs
| What is searched | Price |
|---|---|
| One element: a word or a logo | CNY 550 |
| Combined mark: word + logo | CNY 900 |
| Each additional element | +CNY 350 |
If you order full registration, the search of up to 2 elements is already included and is not charged separately.
Questions about trademark searches
What is an element of a mark?
A part of the mark that is searched on its own: a word (the name) or an image (the logo). A mark made of a word and a logo has 2 elements and the search costs CNY 900.
What if a similar mark is found?
There are several options: change the mark, narrow the list of goods, obtain a consent letter from the owner (Art. 1483(6)) or check whether the earlier mark is actually used. Protection of a mark that has not been used for three years can be terminated early through the Intellectual Property Court (Art. 1486).
Can you search a mark with Chinese characters?
Yes. I search the characters as a figurative element and their transcription and translation as word elements. If you plan to use Latin letters or Cyrillic, I assess those separately.
What is the official website of the Russian trademark office? Can I search there?
Trademarks in Russia are registered by Rospatent, whose official website is rospatent.gov.ru. The register is published by FIPS (the Federal Institute of Industrial Property), where you can view trademark records by number in the open registers. A do-it-yourself search finds only identical spellings; similar marks need a professional search.
How do I pay for the search from China?
Against an invoice in Chinese yuan (CNY) by international transfer. The contract is in Russian or English.