It seems Bayer AG has pulled off a trademark coup. Here's an article from the October 29, 1993 Wall Street Journal, page A11 (condensed). BAYER TRADEMARKS THE WORD 'ASPIRIN' IN RUSSIA, LEAVING RIVALS APOPLECTIC Late last year, Russia's patent offce, Rospatent, awarded the German chemicals and pharmaceuticals giant the registered trademark to the word "aspirin". The award appeared to give Bayer the exclusive right to market pain relievers under the name aspirin - a huge competitive advantage. Bayer's rivals are gearing up for a fight. The case, which will be a critical test for Russia's modernizing patent laws, is due to be heard next month. Rospatent officials say they awarded Bayer the trademark right for several reasons. For starters, it agreed that the word "aspirin" has fallen out of common use in Russia. Historically, Bayer (more accurately its predecessor) was the world's first manufacturer of aspirin, nearly a century ago, and Bayer holds trademark rights in many countries. Russia's patent system may not be up to the legal challenge. According to Russian law, if either Bayer or its challengers are dissatisfied with the decision of Rospatent's appeal chamber, it can appeal to the Supreme Patent Court. But that court exists only on paper. Any appeal would sit on the shelf until a higher court can be set up that could hear the case. Gregory Aharonian Internet Patent News Service