Client
YOKI GROUP LLC – Ukrainian company specializing in the development of branded restaurants and providing catering services. The brand is known for creating conceptual gastronomic spaces, particularly the YOKI pan-Asian restaurant chain.
Practice Area
Legal support for secure brand entry into the European Union market.
Case Background
In July 2024, YOKI GROUP LLC approached BrandR with a request to register two of its trademarks in the European Union. The trademark “YOKI” is the client’s core brand, serving as the foundation of its pan-Asian restaurant chain. The brand is well-known and commercially successful in Ukraine. “Silk Drink” is a trademark intended for a new bar direction related to signature cocktails and premium drink concepts.
During preliminary consultations, BrandR analyzed potential risks in the European HoReCa market, conducted searches for similar marks, and provided recommendations on drafting the lists of goods and services in accordance with EU practice. The lawyers helped the client obtain partial grant funding for expenses through participation in the SME Fund program.
In March 2025, both trademarks were successfully registered in the European Union through EUIPO.
Client’s Goal
Secure entry of two brands into the European Union market.
Project Complexity
High probability of conflicts with prior rights due to the general styling of the “YOKI” mark.
Need for precise positioning of the new “Silk Drink” trademark in the context of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Optimizing the client’s budget by securing funding through European small business support programs.
Tight deadlines for filing applications taking into account brand strategy phases.
BrandR Actions
Conducting preliminary searches and analysis of the legal situation in the EU market.
Developing an individual registration strategy for each brand.
Drafting descriptions for goods and services taking EUIPO practices into account.
Preparing and filing TM registration applications with EUIPO. Supervised the SME Fund grant application, submitted documents, and secured reimbursement. Maintained communication with EU partners at all stages of the project.
Lawyers
Anastasiia Shevchuk: Senior Lawyer, client communication, advising, developing individual registration strategies for the European market, coordination with EU partners.
Result
Polikarpov Law Firm successfully registered both “YOKI” and “Silk Drink” trademarks in the European Union, securing legal protection for the client’s key brands in the EU.
Thanks to the firm’s support, the client received partial reimbursement of expenses through the SME Fund grant program and was able to launch the brands in line with their business plans.
