Russia Adds Intent-to-Use Confirmation to Trademark Applications
What changed
The Ministry of Economic Development has amended the official Russian application form for trademarks, service marks and collective marks. Order No. 386 dated 13 May 2026 was registered by the Ministry of Justice on 6 August 2026 under No. 87749, officially published on 7 August 2026 and will take effect on 18 August 2026.
The form now includes an express confirmation that the applicant intends to use the applied-for designation as a trademark or service mark for all goods and services for which the mark will be registered in the Russian State Register of Trademarks and Service Marks.
The form also reminds applicants that, under Article 1486 of the Russian Civil Code, trademark protection may be terminated early for all or part of the registered goods if the mark is not used continuously for three years.
Who is affected
The change is relevant to applicants filing Russian national trademark applications and to counsel preparing Russian specifications for new brand filings.
Practical action
The amendment does not introduce a pre-registration proof-of-use requirement. It does, however, make the applicant's stated intention to use the mark part of the Russian filing record. Applicants should therefore review Russian specifications more carefully and avoid unnecessarily broad lists of goods and services that are unlikely to be used.
For existing portfolios, the same point remains important after registration: a mark that is not used for three consecutive years may be vulnerable to a non-use cancellation action under Article 1486.
Source and status
Order No. 386 has been officially published and will take effect on 18 August 2026.
Rospatent copy of Order No. 386 of 13 May 2026
The Ministry of Economic Development has amended the official Russian application form for trademarks, service marks and collective marks. Order No. 386 dated 13 May 2026 was registered by the Ministry of Justice on 6 August 2026 under No. 87749, officially published on 7 August 2026 and will take effect on 18 August 2026.
The form now includes an express confirmation that the applicant intends to use the applied-for designation as a trademark or service mark for all goods and services for which the mark will be registered in the Russian State Register of Trademarks and Service Marks.
The form also reminds applicants that, under Article 1486 of the Russian Civil Code, trademark protection may be terminated early for all or part of the registered goods if the mark is not used continuously for three years.
Who is affected
The change is relevant to applicants filing Russian national trademark applications and to counsel preparing Russian specifications for new brand filings.
Practical action
The amendment does not introduce a pre-registration proof-of-use requirement. It does, however, make the applicant's stated intention to use the mark part of the Russian filing record. Applicants should therefore review Russian specifications more carefully and avoid unnecessarily broad lists of goods and services that are unlikely to be used.
For existing portfolios, the same point remains important after registration: a mark that is not used for three consecutive years may be vulnerable to a non-use cancellation action under Article 1486.
Source and status
Order No. 386 has been officially published and will take effect on 18 August 2026.
Rospatent copy of Order No. 386 of 13 May 2026
16.08.2026