On April 25, 2007, the Paris Court of Appeal rejected the marks SHAMPANSKOE and SOVETSKOE SHAMPANSKOE as they were composed of a translation for the Appellation of origin CHAMPAGNE for goods similar to champagne wines.
On the contrary the marks GOLD COLLECTION CHAMPAGNE and NADEZHDA CHAMPAGNE were valid as they were distinctive signs and designated “champagne wines such as covered by Champagne appellation of origin”. These rulings show the strict position of French case law when dealing with trademarks involving the champagne name.