Calvin Klein Registers New Trademark in Russia Valid Until 2035

In 2023, PVH transferred its Russian subsidiary — PVH Stores Rus LLC — to Denis Shchukin. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has served as director of PVH's retail network in Russia since 2018.

The scheme is standard for departing Western retailers: the legal entity passes to local management, while the question of brand rights is settled separately. The trademark registration is precisely that separate part.

Why Register a Trademark If the Business Is Closed?

The answer lies in the economics of trademarks. Registration is relatively inexpensive, and it protects the brand from two risks at once.

The first risk is abuse by third parties. Without a valid registration, bad-faith players could try to register similar marks in their own names and sell counterfeit goods as legitimate products. Overturning such a registration later is costly and time-consuming.

The second risk is losing future options. A valid trademark preserves PVH's ability to return to the market, license the brand to a local partner, or supply goods via parallel imports (the import of original goods without the rights holder's permission).

In other words, June 2035 is the horizon until which Calvin Klein keeps all its doors to Russia open.

What Does This Mean for the Market?

For the B2B segment — retail, distribution, and licensing — the signal is clear: the brand is protecting its rights and is not handing them over to local players. Any negotiations over the use of the Calvin Klein name in Russia now have a clear counterpart and a clear legal basis.

The registration itself does not mean the brand is returning to store shelves. But it confirms that PVH continues to regard Russia as a potential market — at the very least as a place where the brand's name must remain legally its own property.