Smirnoff, Smirnov--It’s Still Vodka
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MOSCOW — A giant American vodka maker has unveiled plans to invade the Moscow market and pursue a lawsuit against a Russian upstart over which company is the real heir to the pre-revolutionary recipe and name that both claim to have inherited.
Smirnoff vs. Smirnov.
The first vodka battle has already been fought. Rospatent, the Russian patent agency, ruled in favor of the American Smirnoff over the Russian Smirnov.
But that failed to put a lid on plans by the Russian firm, setting the stage for a second battle--in court.
Perhaps the most decisive battle will spill over into the streets--where vodka-loving Russians are likely to decide the winner.
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