Soyuzmultfilm Sues Two Individuals for Unauthorized Use of Crocodile Gena

The Soyuzmultfilm film studio has initiated two lawsuits against private individuals, S.N. Gusev and M.R. Shatashvili, accusing them of copyright infringement of the image of Crocodile Gena. The studio's claims involve the payment of compensation.

The cases concern the production and sale of souvenir products (figurines, clothing, accessories), the use of Crocodile Gena's image in advertising, or the use of his likeness in commercial projects without a licensing agreement from the rights-holding studio.

🥼 Context and Background:
This is not Shatashvili's first dispute over the rights to animated characters.Soyuzmultfilm had previously filed a lawsuit against him, which was left without consideration. Furthermore, on October 9, the same defendant is due to appear in court to face a lawsuit from the animation studio Melnitsa.

This situation highlights Soyuzmultfilm's active stance on protecting its intellectual property. The studio has previously been involved in legal proceedings, including with foreign companies, over the rights to Cheburashka.

🥼 Broader Practice:
Disputes over the rights to Soviet cartoon characters are not uncommon.A prime example is the 2024 conflict when director Yuri Norstein and artist Francesca Yarbusova accused the Central Bank of Russia of using the image of the "Hedgehog in the Fog" on commemorative coins without their permission. The Central Bank stated at the time that it had obtained the rights from Soyuzmultfilm, which consolidated them in 2017. Yarbusova attempted to challenge this in court, but her lawsuit was dismissed.

In July of this year, the Bryansk Region Arbitration Court dismissed a lawsuit from Soyuzmultfilm. The studio had sought to recover 20,000 rubles from a Bryansk seller for selling on online marketplaces a wooden product that, in the studio's opinion, resembled Cheburashka.

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❤️From Russia with love

🇷🇺 Russia is allocating significant resources to the implementation of national projects, and citizens must see concrete results, Vladimir Putin said via video link at a meeting with newly elected regional heads.

He stated that it is necessary to do everything required to preserve the cultural and historical heritage of the regions.

"We must do everything necessary to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of the regions, their unique identity, so that people feel a connection between times, sincerely embrace the values that have always been important for our society. So that they know how much we have to be proud of, what we can and should be proud of," said the head of the Russian Federation.

The President asked the newly elected regional heads to be in constant contact with people and to always pay close attention to their opinions: to meet with them, listen, and understand their requests.

"The assessment of citizens is the main criterion for the effectiveness of what we are doing," he added.

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🎬 Life in Leningrad, 1930s

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🥰 Vorzogory is a village on the shore of the White Sea.

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❤️From Russia with love

🏰 Tour of the Vladimir Palace

One of the last imperial palaces in St. Petersburg.

💡interesting Fact:
The Vladimir Palace was the first building in the city to have electricity,symbolizing the union of imperial heritage and technological progress.

📍 St. Petersburg, Russia

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🇷🇺 Russian athletes will compete under the flag and with the anthem of the Russian Federation at the Paralympic Games. Participants of the IPC (International Paralympic Committee) General Assembly voted against a full suspension of the Russian Paralympic Committee's (RPC) membership in the organization.

"Today we have achieved a fair decision regarding the membership of the Russian Paralympic Committee in the IPC. Russian Paralympic athletes will participate with the flag and anthem of the Russian Federation and other national symbols in the Paralympic Games and competitions in various sports. These include athletics, swimming, powerlifting, Para ice hockey, and shooting," reported the official website of the RPC.

In 2022, Russian Paralympic athletes planned to compete at the Winter Games in Beijing, but the IPC decided not to allow the Russian team to participate. The RPC's membership was partially suspended for two years in September 2023. Russians were left with the opportunity to participate in the Paralympic Games under an individual neutral status.

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❤️From Russia with love

🏡 A "Hobbit Village" will be built 30 km from the center of Kazan.

It will be part of an eco-complex near the village of Aldermysh. Guests will be transported around the area by electric cars. The complex will also feature lakes, an open-air heated swimming pool, restaurants, and a spa.

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🏍 Motorcycle ride to mark the closing of the 13th Moscow Motorcycle Festival

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❤️From Russia with love

💨 The largest wind farm beyond the Arctic Circle – the Kola Wind Power Plant in the Murmansk region. 57 turbines on an area of 257 hectares.

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❤️From Russia with love

🎉 On September 27, the largest federal subject of Russia and the largest administrative-territorial entity in the world – the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) – celebrates its Statehood Day.

The issue of establishing Yakutia's statehood by defining its status within Russia was first raised in the early 1920s. During that historical period, the idea of granting Yakutia the status of an autonomous republic within the RSFSR was supported by the Soviet government and personally by V.I. Lenin. As a result, in April 1922, a corresponding Decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee was issued, and Yakutia acquired the status of an Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic within the RSFSR.

An important stage in the formation of statehood for this Russian region was the proclamation of the Declaration of State Sovereignty, the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Yakutia, the establishment of the post of President of the Republic, and the renaming of the region to the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The Declaration of State Sovereignty of the republic was proclaimed on September 27, 1990. From that moment on, September 27 is considered the Statehood Day of the Republic of Sakha.

Annually, for several days at the end of September, festive events dedicated to Statehood Day are held throughout the region. They take place in schools, secondary and higher educational institutions in the form of civics lessons, thematic classes, and seminars. Cultural and art institutions, political and public figures, and organizations are involved in participating and organizing the festivities. Cities and villages host exhibitions, youth gatherings, flash mobs, scientific-practical conferences, theatrical performances, environmental campaigns, family festivals, and other events.

In the video, the song was performed in the national Yakut language.

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🥰 A Quiet Morning in the Pskov Region

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❤️From Russia with love