Russia Rules in Case over Peppa Pig Trademark

A Russian court has ruled in favour of copyright infringement of Peppa Pig. Entertainment One had taken legal action against a Russian business owner who had drawn his own versions of Peppa Pig.

The court ruled that the trademarks of Peppa Pig can be used by Russian businesses without punishment – leading to fears of further copyright infringements of brands owned by Western companies.

In a move that has been widely named retaliatory against the Russian sanctions imposted by Western governments after its invasion of Ukraine, Judge Andrei Slavinsky cited “unfriendly actions of the United States of America and affiliated foreign countries” in their ruling.

eOne’s case was brought the case under an ‘abuse of right’, but the court ruled in favour of the trademark infringer.