Chapter 11, Problem 8BCP

Summary Introduction

Case summary: Stolichnaya vodka was produced and sold by the Union S for half a century. It was licensed and trademarked in the U.S. by VVO-SPI, an enterprise named S. VVO-SPI that came under the authority of SPI after the insolvency of the Union S. However, Russian court claimed that VVO-SPI was not privatized legally under its law, therefore, the authority and possession were held by the beneficiary of Union S, the Russian Federation. Further, the Federation assigned the mark to FTE, a federal enterprise. To this, FTE alleged against SPI for violation and manipulation of the trademark in U.S. federal district court.

To find: The validity of assigning the trademark to FTE.