MOSCOW, January 13 - RAPSI, Natalia Belova. A court has held against MDM Bank's lawsuit to cancel the patent agency's refusal to register the "MDM" trademark, the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI/rapsinews.com) reports on Friday.

In summer 2011, Rospatent waived MDM Bank's request to register the trademark, saying it is just a combination of letters lacking distinctiveness.

Rospatent stated in its decision that the submitted documents do not prove the distinctive character of the "MDM" trademark.

The bank in turn opposed Rospatent's resolution and noted that it is exactly the "MDM" combination that serves to identify the bank and makes it recognizable for clients.

MDM Bank was founded in 1990. It merged with URSA Bank in 2009. Both banks were once among the 30 largest banks in Russia before their merger. Among MDM Bank's shareholders are the International Financial Corporation and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The bank currently operates about 200 offices.