Protection of Foreign Geographical Indications in The Russian Federation

Annotftion The Russian Federation has become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2012. When Russia joined this organization it has committed to bring its intellectual property legislation into line with international acts in force in the WTO. In particular, the Russian Federation is obliged to provide in its legislation for the legal protection of geographical indications, the extent of which has caused concern on the part of WTO experts. However, analysis of the current Russian legislation revealed a discrepancy between legal regulation in the sphere of protection of geographical indications in Russia and international instruments of the WTO. In this regard, the authors' goal is to build a system of protection of geographical indications in Russia in accordance with international standards. In the conclusion of the study it was found that the Russian definition of "appellation of origin of goods" doesn’t correspond to the concept "geographical indication", as enshrined in the TRIPS Agreement. The protection of geographical indications, understood in a strict meaning, is protected only through unfair competition laws.To create designated protection of geographical indications, which includes, within the meaning of the TRIPS Agreement, appellation of origin of goods and geographical indication in a strict meaning must be extended to the latter in addition to the protection with unfair competition laws the registration system as a protected means of individualization in the Russian Federation.