Decision finally reached regarding the swatch.ru legal caseSwatch wins Russian domain case at the 3rd attempt
The Federal Court of the District of Moscow confirmed in a decision from the 23rd of May 2011 the current position of the Court of Appeal as well as the Court of the Region of Moscow regarding the domain name swatch.ru. According to the Federal Court it was correct to forbid the use of this domain name to the owner of the domain swatch.ru, and to oblige him to transfer this to the Swatch AG.
Russian legislators allow the owners of well-known brands to protect their rights on the internet, particularly if a cybersquatter hinders the owner of a brand and a company name from using their protected brand and company name on the internet. Cases such as these are regarded as an abuse of the law, and as unfair competition. This position is being taken by an increasing number of courts in the Russian Federation.