Monday, July 9
DEBT RECOVERY
Sberbank vs Pin Telecom, Leasing Group Industry
Sberbank seeks to recover 1.275 billion rubles ($43.6 million) in debt under loans from the St. Petersburg-based PiN Telecom and the Leasing Group Industry. The bank has filed four lawsuits. PiN Telecom is now under bankruptcy procedure.
CORPORATE LAW
Andrey Prokhorov vs BP Russian Investment Limited, BP p.l.c.
Tyumen Commercial Court
TNK-BP Holding minority shareholder Andrei Prokhorov has filed a lawsuit seeking to recover $12.6 billion in losses from BP Russian Investment Limited and BP p.l.c. The plaintiffs claim was dismissed in 2011 but the court of cassation sent the case back for reconsideration.
Tuesday, July 10
DEVELOPMENT
Development company vs Finance ministry
Sredniye Torgovye Ryady (The Middle Shopping Mall) company seeks to recover 41 billion rubles ($1.25 bln) over the renovation project on Moscow’s Red Square. The project was developed in 2000. However, the building to be renovated was granted to the federal agency in 2010. The development company considered the contract to be terminated as it was no longer able to fulfill it.
COMPETITION
Metro Cash & Carry vs Federal antimonopoly service
Metro Cash & Carry claims to invalidate the antitrust watchdog’s ruling which states that the wholesaler discriminates against suppliers of fish and fish derivatives. In November 2011 the Federal Antimonopoly Service declared Metro Cash & Carry in breach of trade laws for tying the cost of promotion to the product turnover.
Wednesday, July 11
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Philip Morris vs Patent service
Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals
International tobacco company Philip Morris is challenging the patent service’s refusal to register its trademark because of its similarity with a trademark of another tobacco giant BAT Russia. The Moscow Commercial Court in April dismissed the lawsuit. The company appealed against the ruling.
Thursday, July 12
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Geox S.p.A. vs Dmitry Sevyan
The Italian Geox S.p.A. footwear company took legal action to protect its exclusive right to its trademarks. The action is taken against Dmitry Sevyan, the administrator of www.geox.ru, and the Regional Network Information Center’s registrar. The plaintiff seeks to recover 100,000 rubles ($3,400) in damages. Sevyan owns geox.ru, which Geox S.p.A. believes constitutes trademark infringement. Geox thinks Russian consumers may be misled as GEOX is a well-known brand and customers might think the website belongs to the company.
Friday, July 13
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Nemiroff vs Nemiroff Vodka Rus
Nemiroff, a Ukrainian producer of alcoholic beverages, has filed a lawsuit against Nemiroff Vodka Rus over Nemiroff trademark. The conflict began after shareholders of Nemiroff Holdings failed to agree on the price and the terms of its acquisition by the Russian Standard holding company. Alexander Glyus, who has a blocking stake in Nemiroff Vodka Ltd., claims that he was not aware of Nemiroff group’s plans to grant the right to use the trademark. Besides, registration of Nemiroff Vodka Rus is disputed as it might contradict the shareholders’ agreement.
