Oschadbank Defends Rights to the “Oschad” Brand: Court Prohibits Its Use by Pharmacy Chain

The Pecherskyi District Court of Kyiv City ruled in favor of Oschadbank in a case regarding the protection of rights to the well-known “Oschad” trademark in a dispute with a large pharmacy chain.

The court granted the Bank's key claims and prohibited the use of “Oschad” designation, which is similar to the well-known “Oschad” trademark, when selling pharmaceutical products, on pharmacy signs, in advertising, in business documentation, and on the Internet.

The court also ordered the defendants to cease using the “Oschad” designation and invalidated the Ukrainian trademark registrations for “Oschad Apteka.”

The dispute arose after a large pharmacy chain began using the “Oschad” designation to brand its pharmacies throughout Ukraine. A distinctive feature of the case was its scale and the large number of defendants, as the pharmacies operated through a network of separate business entities.

During the proceedings, the court examined a substantial body of evidence regarding the use and recognition of Oschadbank’s brand, its reputation, and its association with the Bank among consumers.

In its ruling, the court concluded that as of January 1, 2017, “Oschad” designation had become well-known in Ukraine as a reference to Oschadbank, its financial and banking services. The court’s conclusion was one of the grounds for granting the Bank’s claims to cease the infringement of its rights.

Oschadbank consistently stands up for and protects its customers from potential misleading practices, as well as from any attempts by third parties to exploit the Bank's intellectual property and business reputation.

The brand is a strategic asset of Oschadbank and a vital component of the trust of millions of customers. Oschadbank consistently and resolutely protects its identity, business reputation, and intellectual property rights, treating them as vital components of customer trust and the Bank's sustainable development. Oschadbank counteracts any attempts to use its brand that could mislead consumers.

The decision of the trial court may still be appealed by the defendants.

Oschadbank’s interests in the case regarding the protection of rights to a well-known trademark are represented by a highly professional legal advisor – AMBASSADORS law firm.