Iconic Russian state-owned vodka brands auctioned June 17th
Eighteen Benelux trademarks owned by the Russian state, including those for the iconic vodka brands Stolichnaya and Moskovskaya, will be the subject of an auction on Monday, June 17th, 2024 in The Netherlands. The trademarks were seized by the former majority shareholders of Yukos to enforce partially their more than $60 billion damages claim against the Russian Federation for the illegal, politically motivated expropriation of the Russian oil giant in 2003.
Background
The eighteen Benelux trademarks (and international trademarks to the extent they apply to the Benelux region) are being auctioned together with related rights under the Dutch Copyright Act 1912. The trademarks are registered in The Netherlands and were held by FKP Sojuzplodoimport (FKPS) on behalf of the Russian Federation. An auction of the trademarks was held in December 2022 against the background of continuing challenges to the seizures of the trademarks brought by FKPS and the Russian Federation. The former majority shareholders chose not to sell the trademarks at that auction as the winning bid did not meet their expectations. The Russian Federation and FKPS’ last remaining appeal against the seizure of the trademarks was dismissed by the Dutch Supreme Court on March 22nd, 2024.
Information about the auction
The auction will be held by Equilibristen Bailiffs on Monday, June 17th, 2024 starting at 13:00 CEST at Nieuwspoort, Bezuidenhoutseweg 67 in The Hague, the Netherlands. The trademarks and related copyrights will be auctioned in one lot. If you are interested in bidding for the trademarks, please refer to the website of Equilibristen Bailiffs at www.equilibristen.nl/auctions which contains the full list of the trademarks and copyrights to be auctioned; the conditions of the auction; the documentation which needs to be provided in order to register to bid; and the deposit which needs to be paid to participate.
Please note that all registration formalities, including payment of the deposit, must be completed with Equilibristen Bailiffs by 18:00 CEST on June 12th, 2024. Admission is subject to the discretion of the bailiff and will only be granted to parties that have registered in accordance with the auction conditions or to journalists who have obtained prior accreditation. Journalists requiring accreditation should visit www.equilibristen.nl/auctions.
An advertisement announcing the auction appeared in the print and online editions of the Dutch business daily Het Financieele Dagblad on April 24th, 2024.
Useful links
June 28th, 2022: The Dutch Court of Appeal approves seizure of iconic vodka brands by former Yukos shareholders. Press release and judgment.
December 6th, 2022: Former Yukos shareholders reject bid at vodka auction.
March 22nd, 2024: Dutch Supreme Court dismissed Russia’s last remaining appeal against seizure of the trademarks. Press release and judgments against the Russian Federation and FKPS.
