Russian court sides with Campari in Aperol distributor lawsuit

MOSCOW, Dec 15 (Reuters) - A Russian court has banned a local distribution company from importing and selling Campari's trademarked Aperol drink in the country in a case brought by the Italian spirits group, court documents showed.

The case highlights potential trademark issues as copycat producers and unauthorised importers seek to fill a void after scores of foreign firms left the Russian market or reduced their presence after Moscow's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Campari (CPRI.MI) has said it is maintaining purely commercial activities in both Russia and Ukraine, without giving further details.

Court documents from a hearing held in the city of Rostov-on-Don stated that Master-Trade had been prohibited from unauthorised imports and sales of Aperol, the popular orange-coloured aperitif.

Campari's claim had been partially satisfied, the document said, without giving details on other aspects of the lawsuit.

"This is a normal action to protect our brands and consumers," a Campari spokesperson told Reuters. "We have no further comment regarding the legal action."

Russia legalised so-called parallel imports in 2022, which permit the import of goods into Russia without the licence holder's permission, a response to dozens of consumer goods companies and other manufacturers halting sales in Russia.

Many Western goods remain available within Russia, entering via circuitous routes and often at higher prices.