Russia has stolen the most famous brand of Ukrainian cherries: Kremlin does not plan to stop there

Russia has appropriated the Ukrainian brand "Melitopol Cherry" by registering it as a Russian brand. This situation is part of Russia's strategy to integrate the occupied territories and is a violation of international intellectual property norms.

This was reported by Russian propagandists TASS. Rospatent granted a certificate of "exclusive right" to the brand to the occupation administration in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

Russian media report that the appropriation of the Ukrainian brand is intended to accelerate the "integration" of the occupied territories into Russia. This is part of Russia's strategy to legitimize its authority in these territories, despite international sanctions and rejection.

Rospatent has declared its readiness to register other Ukrainian geographical indications, not just cherries. This is only the beginning of a large-scale campaign to appropriate Ukraine's intellectual property.

Ukrainian "Melitopol sweet cherry"

Ukraine patented the geographical indication "Melitopol sweet cherry" back in 2020. This sweet cherry is known for its rich aroma and flavor, and balanced sugar and acid content, which is due to the specific conditions of the spring period and black earth soils with high water permeability.

The region's peculiarities, such as an intense increase in solar radiation and black earth soils, contribute to the unique flavor of this product. "Melitopol Cherry has been officially recognized as a geographical brand in Ukraine, and in October 2021, the Melitopol Cherry Group received the Global G.A.P. certificate, which meets international standards for product quality and environmental friendliness.

Russia's reaction

The Russian Federal Service for Intellectual Property issued the first certificate of exclusive right to a regional brand in favor of the occupation administration. This decision was made public on July 12 and was widely discussed.

Russian agencies have stated that the occupied regions of Ukraine, which Russia already considers its own, can register intellectual property. "We invite producers of goods and services from the new regions to register their brands. Rospatent will provide all the necessary assistance," said Yuri Zubov, head of Rospatent. The appropriation of Ukrainian geographical brands by Russia is part of a broader strategy to legitimize the occupation of Ukrainian territories and deepen their integration into the Russian Federation.

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