Controversial “McDonald’s” Logo Mocked in Russia

Controversial “McDonald’s” Logo Mocked in Russia

Russians may be able to get their hands on McChicken after all, despite the closure of approximately 850 stores of McDonald’s in Russia due to the invasion in Ukraine. McDonald’s was a symbol of modernity, which was a window to a different world for the 30,000 customers that were queued on it first opening. The withdrawals of the burger chain mark the era of the country moving backwards. The people are getting a peek at what is like living in Russia during the cold war.

Russian Federation surprisingly, is set to open its first McDonald’s replacement with Uncle Vanya’s as the new brand of fast-food chain which recently was exposed filling a resembled- looking logo of Trademark. The bold announcement made by the Russian Federation to disregard the owners of patent and design rights which originate from the “unfriendly countries” had left the entire world shocked with the unexpected move. The decision was made to circumvent the Trademark restriction as an effort for it to reopen.

The application for the logo was informed to be filled by Vyacheslav Volodin, Russia’s state Duma Chairman. The widespread of the controversial logo went insanely viral after it was seemed to fully resemble the original shade of colours, type of font with a little bit of different tune of the letter “m” tipped sidewise and a line drawn to make it look like a “B”.

The appropriation of IP rights of nationals of enemy states is nothing new. It has been happening since the first World War. What is in doubt right now is, the stand of McDonald’s and its registered Trademark rights in Russia. Can such a well-known Trademark lose their exclusivity just because their representation of a geographical area labeled as an “unfriendly country”? And will their IP rights be restored after the end of the war? Once the ongoing war in Ukraine is ended, what would be the stands of Russian courts and will it eventually restore the rights to the current owners.

The decision taken by the Russian Federation has a tendency to mark a starting point for more brands to be independently operated by the Russians regardless of the consideration of Intellectual Property owner. When Trademark restrictions are lifted in this manner, the circumstances may potentially lead to more piracy of well-known marks. The current sequel is just another example of how the invasion of IP rights will affect the relationship between the country’s diplomacy.

This article is brought to you by Exy Intellectual Property Sdn Bhd.

Article photo credit to Alexander Nemenov/ AFP/ Getty Images.