Influence of the Principle of Exhaustion of Exclusive Rights on the State of Competition in Commodity Markets

Abstract

The article about the discussion on the legal meaning of the principle of exhaustion of the exclusive right to a trademark, including from the point of view of its impact on the state of competition in the commodity markets. The analysis of the legal nature of the principle of exhaustion of the exclusive right to a trademark is carried out, its essential and functional significance is determined. The actual application of this principle has been investigated, including practice of the Russian antimonopoly body in cases of unfair competition on the part of rightholders who prohibit the parallel import of their products. Studied judicial practice on the legality of parallel imports. The problem of the balance of interests of copyright holders, “parallel” importers and consumers is considered, the “pluses” and “minuses” of consolidation in the legislation of the national and regional principles of the exhaustion of the exclusive right to a trademark are assessed.