On August 20, U.S. online retailer Amazon applied to register the trademark “Amazon Instant Video” with the Russian patent office.
The Amazon Instant Video service allows users to buy movies and TV shows for viewing on computers, tablets, and other devices. So far, the service has been available to users in the U.S., Canada, and several other countries, but not those in Russia.
The retailer may soon launch the service in Russia based on the trademark application, but Amazon Russia has not yet officially commented on this matter.
Earlier this year, the company also filed an application to register a Russian trademark for product storage, packaging, further transportation, and delivery, in addition to its activities related to electronic content.
Beginning operations within the country may look like a logical next step for the American retailer, given the juicy perspectives offered by Russia’s domestic e-commerce market. This past April, Amazon opened a representative office in Russia. It remains unclear, however, whether Amazon aims merely to develop its Kindle business in Russia or to launch full-fledged e-commerce activity in the country.
Russian online retail is expected to reach or exceed the $50 billion mark at the end of the decade, up from approximately $13 billion in 2012, according to a research study by East-West Digital News.
Source: RIA Novosti
