Based on numerous publications in the media one may conclude
that the IP rights of foreign companies are no longer protected in
Russia and existing IP rights will be unenforceable. Of course,
this is not the case and it does not correspond to reality at
all.
Intellectual property in Russia is not "cancelled" and
there are no restrictions for foreign applicants in connection with
the filing of applications for registration of designs patents,
trademarks and invention patents, or for foreign right holders to
perform actions to maintain protected intellectual property
rights.
Most of misconception comes from wrong translation and wrong
understanding of legal acts adopted by the Russian President and
Russian Government during the first half of the year. Besides, the
Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") of the US
Department of Treasury added fuel to the flames since it de facto
prohibited certain payments (taxes, fees, etc.) in favor of the
Russian Patent Office
