"Kia Registers Trademarks in Russia...Valid Until 2034"

On January 13 (local time), Russian media reported that Kia, the South Korean automaker that withdrew from the Russian market, has registered two trademarks in Russia.

RIA Novosti reported that the Russian Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) registered two trademarks applied for by Kia this month. The trademarks are valid until 2034.

According to the news agency's analysis of the Rospatent database, Kia applied to register two logo-type trademarks in August and October of last year. With the approval, Kia is now able to sell passenger cars and boats under these trademarks in Russia and also provide data transmission services.

TASS reported that Kia registered a total of 36 trademarks in Russia last year.

Since the start of the "special military operation" in Ukraine in February 2022, there have been ongoing reports of foreign brands that withdrew from Russia registering trademarks there. This is interpreted as leaving open the possibility of re-entering the Russian market after peace is restored in Ukraine.

At the end of last year, local media reported that Hyundai Motor Company and Samsung Electronics also registered trademarks in Russia.

Additionally, RIA Novosti reported the previous day that British clothing company Jimmy Choo, Japanese automaker Toyota, and German car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz have registered trademarks in Russia.