«Russian warship, go away!» to be registered as a trademark

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine has expressed a desire to register as a trademark the phrase "Russian warship, go away...!", which will be heard by Ukrainian border guards while on Zmeinyi Island at the beginning of a full-scale invasion. However, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) opposes this initiative, Politico reports.

According to the publication, this phrase, which indicates the direction for Russian warships, was first used by a Ukrainian soldier from Zmeinyi Island in the Black Sea at the beginning of the aggression. For two years, this statement has become a symbol of Kyiv's steadfastness in the face of Moscow. However, according to EU intellectual property representatives, it does not meet the requirements for trademark status.

"We believe that the copyright to this trademark should be held by the state of Ukraine... as a confirmation of the determination and steadfastness of Ukrainian border guards," said Andriy Demchenko, a spokesman for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

According to him, it is necessary to recognize the merits and pay tribute to the defender, who inspired Ukraine and the world community with his act.

Brussels-based lawyers Andriy Bukovnik and Taras Kulbaba first filed an application for trademark registration on March 16, 2022, on behalf of the military man - with the permission of his family - who was the first to use the phrase.

The lawyers explained that it was a "unique opportunity to do something more" and a way to avoid what they said would inevitably happen: someone else would register the trademark.

This is to ensure that no one else can profit from the slogan. Currently, many trading platforms sell a variety of commercial products with different variations of the phrase "Russian warship: go to hell". However, neither Ukraine nor the soldier who was captured by Russia and released as a result of a prisoner exchange can take any measures to prevent others from profiting from this catchphrase.