MOSCOW, December 5 - RAPSI, Dmitry Shchitov. An appeals court has affirmed that the patent watchdog's refusal to register the "Volodya i Medvedi" (Volodya and the Bears) trademark is illegal, the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI/rapsinews.com) reports from the courtroom.

The court held against Rospatent's appeal filed against the Moscow Commercial Court's September 12 judgment. The court ruled that Rospatent unlawfully denied the "Volodya i Medvedi" trademark registration to the Royalty alcoholic beverages producer.

Royalty sought to register the trademark for alcoholic beverages, beer, juices and sparkling waters.

The patent service rejected Royalty's trademark application in October 2010, stating that the trademark would damage the country's image and public interests.

Royalty protested Rospatent's decision in December. However, the Chamber for Patent Disputes dismissed the protest.

According to the patent service, "Volodya i Medvedi" impermissibly refers to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev. "Volodya" is a nickname for "Vladimir," while "medved," the root word of President Medvedev's last name, means "bear." Meanwhile, the watchdog added that the brand would also make reference to the prime minister by using the trademark, as it was to be adorned by a bear, which is the symbol of Putin's United Russia party.

Royalty successfully challenged the watchdog's decision and won the case on September 5.