Russian company "Stołoto" and French lottery corporation FDJ: legal dispute over the Rapido trademark
Squabble Kicks Off Between French Gambling Giant FDJ and Russian Lottery Company Stoloto
Here's the lowdown on a heated legal battle between French gaming operator La Française des Jeux (FDJ) and Russian lottery company Stoloto.
FDJ's Brand Eyes Russian Exit
Stoloto's subsidiary, Center, has sued FDJ over Rapido trademark rights in Russia. They aim to scrap the trademark's protection due to an absence of commercial use by FDJ in Russia, which breaches local legislation.
Trademark Coverage Controversy
FDJ's Rapido trademark, registered in 15 countries, falls under five classes of the International Classification of Goods and Services. Stoloto is moving to axe the trademark protections for three classes:
- Digital software and technologies.
- Printed materials.
- Entertainment event and game organization.
The reason? FDJ apparently lacks any significant presence in these areas in Russia, jeopardizing its trademark standing.
Rapido in Retreat in France
In France, the birthplace of Rapido, the game has been yanked from circulation, replaced by Amigo. With the Rapido brand now kaput, its use commercially or in marketing has come to a standstill.
Stoloto's Rapido Game Thrives in Russia
Stoloto's Russian fanbase adores its homegrown "Rapido" lottery games, such as "Rapido Drive" and "Rapido Ultra." This shared moniker diverges with the outdated French trademark, fueling legal confusion that Stoloto appears eager to resolve.
The courtroom drama is still in its infancy. No word yet from FDJ, but this skirmish over trademarks sets a wider precedent for international intellectual property evaluation. For latest updates on this case, scope out Russian legal databases or news outlets.
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Bonus Knowledge:
Trademark disputes often unfold like this:
- Complaint Filed: The complainant submits a legal challenge or complaint to a court or trademark office.
- Court Jurisdiction: The court checks if it can handle the case and the best court location.
- Evidence Gathered: Both sides dig up evidence supporting their positions.
- Hearings and Trials: The case may proceed to a trial, where each side presents arguments.
- Decision: The court or trademark authority delivers a ruling, which can be contested in an appeal.
- Enforcement: If required, the winning side enforces the ruling against the other.
For specific developments on this Stoloto-FDJ case, Russian legal databases or news sources just might be your best bet.
- What's striking in the ongoing legal joust between FDJ and Stoloto is the Russian company's bid to terminate the protection of FDJ's Rapido trademark in three specific classes: digital software and technologies, printed materials, and entertainment event and game organization.
- Centre, a Stoloto subsidiary, has filed a lawsuit against FDJ, alleging a breach of local legislation due to the absence of commercial use by FDJ of the Rapido trademark in Russia, specifically in the aforementioned classes.
- As gambling trends continue to evolve, it's worth noting that the dispute over the Rapido trademark may have far-reaching implications for casino-and-gambling companies aiming to penetrate the Russian market in these fields.
- In an unexpected twist, the popular Rapido casino-games once cherished by French players have been removed from circulation in France, casting doubt on FDJ's ability to maintain its trademark rights domestically.
- Conversely, Stoloto's And the "Rapido" lotteries, like "Rapido Drive" and "Rapido Ultra," remain highly popular in Russia, further complicating this intellectual property dispute with FDJ.
