A Russian court has ruled that Peppa Pig’s trademarks can be used by Russian businesses without punishment.
The move is being seen as a retaliation for the economic sanctions which has been imposed on the country following the invasion of Ukraine.
Entertainment One had taken legal action against a Russian entrepreneur who had drawn his own versions of the preschool character, Sky News reported. The company had asked for 40,000 roubles in compensation last September.
However, a judge dismissed the case, mentioning “unfriendly actions of the United States of America and affiliated foreign countries” in their ruling.
On top of this, the Russian government has also issued a decree that allows patented inventions and industrial designs from ‘unfriendly countries’ to be used without permission or compensation.
The list of unfriendly countries includes the UK, US, the EU, Australia, Ukraine, Japan and 16 other nations.
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