Peppa Pig Verdict in Russia Worries IP Rights Holders

In a recent decision, a Russian judge ruled that popular British cartoon “Peppa Pig” can be legally copied in Russia without fear of claims of infringement. Seen as a response to recent sanctions from the United States and the United Kingdom, Russia stated that Russian parties are now free to use the cartoon with impunity within its borders.

Peppa Pig Verdict Based on Politics

One Entertainment owns the popular British cartoon, Peppa Pig, and has been protective of its lucrative property. Last year, One Entertainment filed lawsuits in Russia, asking for financial compensation for the alleged infringement of its Peppa Pig characters. While the case had initially seemed hopeful for One Entertainment, it was recently unceremoniously dismissed with the court ruling that politics played a major part in his decision.

Specifically naming the United States and the United Kingdom as unfriendly nations to Russia, the judge stated that these intellectual property rights, save patents, would no longer be recognized in Russia. In his analysis, Russian judge Andrei Slavinsky stated that the economic sanctions by the western countries were restrictive and unfriendly to Russia. Similarly, in response to the complaints, the defendant stated that the sanctions against Russia meant that the sanctioning countries would not be recognizing his intellectual property rights in turn.

Peppa Pig Verdict Worries Other Non-Russian IP Rights Holders

As several Peppa Pig infringement cases are currently pending in Russia, One Entertainment’s chances for a winning conclusion seem bleak. Such a verdict in Russia may also spell trouble for other lucrative works owned by non-Russian companies. With this result in hand, many famous brand owners and retailers are now concerned that their goods will be subject to rampant infringement in Russia. Moreover, these companies worry that the goodwill associated with their famous brands may also take a hit as third parties can now use their marks without consequence.

Key Takeaways on Peppa Pig Verdict in Russia

A Russian verdict regarding Peppa Pig has major brand owners worried because:

• The verdict ruled that soft intellectual property rights belonging to certain nations would no longer be recognized in Russian courts;

• The verdict allows for the unauthorized infringement of protected works; and

• This verdict may mean that patents, too, will eventually lose their protected status in Russia.

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