The Moscow International Business Center's management company, PAO City, attempted to obtain registration of the "Moscow City" trademark from the patent organization Rospatent in the Intellectual Property Court. PAO City was founded in 1992, and in 1994, the Moscow City Administration authorized it to act as the MIBC's management company.
In its initial patent application, the UK sought trademark protection for a significant number of goods in three classes, as well as eight classes of services, according to the International Classification of Goods and Services. It listed:
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financial activities and credit and monetary operations;
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computer software;
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furniture;
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insurance services;
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advertising services;
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real estate transactions;
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transport services;
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instruments and tools;
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telecommunications;
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construction and repair;
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scientific research and development;
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legal services;
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upbringing and education services;
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paper and printed products;
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hotels and restaurants;
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entertainment, etc.
Following its review of this application in the fall of 2019, Rospatent rejected it. The rationale was that the designation "Moscow City," which literally means "Moscow City," lacked distinctiveness and would be perceived not as a trademark, but as a place of service provision or goods manufacture.
In response, the management company "City" claimed that the term "Moscow City" is already widely known and has a distinctive character. This is supported by the fact that, as early as June 2018, four flexible office spaces had opened in the Moscow International Business Center, housing over 1,500 small and medium-sized businesses. Furthermore, medical facilities and various agencies operated there, as well as a museum of skyscrapers and high-rise construction, which was created in the multifunctional complex "Imperia."
Nevertheless, Rospatent did not change its ruling and, on December 18, 2020, rejected all objections raised by PAO City. The management company filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn Rospatent's decision. Following the review of the application, a preliminary hearing in the Intellectual Property Court was scheduled for March 22.
As a reminder, according to the company's financial statements, 25% of its shares are owned by the Cypriot company Voscan Properties Ltd and the Moscow-based ExpoStroyServis LLC. The company's other shareholders are not listed.
