Some good news for the Russian airsoft community with regards to the issue of the use of Kalashnikov trademarks on airsoft guns and other military tactical game products. In a press release, Concern Kalashnikov and the Federation of the Military-Tactical Games (FMTG or ФВТИ in Russian), upon the initiative of the latter, have mutually agreed upon conditions in resolving disputes in the use of trademarks.

The FMTG is comprised of representatives from the retail industry and the airsoft community.

The result of the meeting takes into consideration the concerns of all parties involved in the negotiations. Kalashnikov Concern will draft a standard tripartite form of licensing agreement with the FGMT acting as a guarantor on behalf of the airsoft retailers. Upon the publication of the licensing agreement, a 2-month moratorium will be taken by the company on taking any action against retailers carrying products using the Kalashnikov trademarks, allowing the retailers to sign the contract based on the licensing agreement during this grace period. They will also drop the demands for financial compensation for the use of trademarks against airsoft retailers but reserve the right to use them again upon the end of the 2-month moratorium.

Concern Kalashnikov will monitor the turnover of products that replicate the trademark within the Russian Federation. The parties involved shall be responsible for ensuring the quality of the products using the trademark and must not cause damage to the image of the Kalashnikov rifle. In the meeting, the company emphasized that they do not intend to prohibit the use of Kalashnikov-style airsoft guns, including products made overseas.

With the approved licensing for retail stores, they announce plans for the medium term, and for the efficient licensing of the Kalashnikov trademarks by the manufacturers, the trademark will need to be protected in the country of the manufacturer(s).

On the basis of providing products, the licensed stores will have to have a branded storefront and continue to provide service and warranty for the products. If they meet these requirements, they can take on the implementation of other products under the “Kalashnikov” brand.

The agreement also requires a fixed lump sum payment for royalties and will depend upon the turnover of a particular company. Royalty fee will be 20,000 Russian Rubles or around US$350 based on the exchange rate as of this writing.

Concern Kalashnikov will be supportive of the airsoft gaming industry and cooperation with the FGMT will allow to it to develop advanced equipment for use in military tactical games such as airsoft, laser tag, and fire tag.

Concern Kalashnikov will be releasing its own line of airsoft products in 2017 and will be completely authentic in appearance, weight, materials, and ergonomics.

Photo source: Concern Kalashnikov