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Kalashnikov Group Applies For 3D Trademarks of AK and AKM Family of Rifles

Gungho Cowboy

A lot of things are happening at the Kalashnikov Group (Concern Kalashnikov) to turn it into a global, profit-making company for the Russian State and its private investors. From being known as Izhmash Concern, the company has renamed into what made it famous, using the name of the inventor of the AK-47, Mikhail Kalashnikov, before his death in December 2013, to expanding its export markets, the group now wants to enforce copyright of its trademarks and brands.

With a US$50 million loss in 2013, the company will need to plug a big hole in order to make it profitable.

Thus, Rostec, the State Company that owns 51% of the Kalashnikov Group (49% is owned by private investors),  reported that the company have filed for application of 3D images of the AK and the AKM rifle family as trademarks. If approved manufacturers copying the designs in different types of products will need to get a licence before importing these to Russia.

There is no mention on how such trademarks will be enforced worldwide, especially for firearms and airsoft manufacturers though Cybergun have the rights to the Kalashnikov Trademark that bears the image of Mikhail Kalashnikov rather than the AK and AKM rifle family trademarks.

In their decision to apply for 3D trademarks, the company states that a "flat" image patent can be cheated by changing its angle.

Once the application approved, some of the covered products that will have to get a licence from Kalashnikov in order to use the 3D images are deodorants, fuel, knives, razors, computer software, ammunition, firearms, jewelry, leather goods, furniture, bed covers, fasteners, toys, sports equipment, smoking accessories and others.

There is an emphasis on toy manufacturers as AK toy rifles are mainly manufactured outside of Russia. It is safe to assume that airsoft AK rifles which are mainly manufactured in Asia will need to bear the 3D trademarks. This will force Russian airsoft retailers to insist on their suppliers to get licenses from Kalashnikov, or apply on their behalf.

As to how much in terms of percentage will the revenue contribution of licensing the 3D trademark to Kalashnikov Group's bottom line, there's no mention. But what is clear is that they have to exploit the popularity of the brand and its family or rifles in order to have another revenue stream via licensing and merchandising deals.

For airsoft businesses, this is something for them to anticipate as the Kalashnikov Group gets serious in increasing revenues. Most likely the application will be approved in Russia and they will look into having such trademarks recognised globally. This means that they have to factor in royalty payments for such licensing agreements in order for them to do business in Russia and probably around the world.

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