Despite dozens of major global companies blacklisting Russia for the Putin regime’s deadly, unprovoked military incursion into Ukraine, the geopolitical nightmare machine continues to grind onwards. So far, it’s resulting in some very surreal aftereffects.
A new Business Insider report this morning finds that opportunists are wasting no time filling the sudden void left by franchises like Starbucks, McDonald’s, and KFC — and because of Russia’s open business hostility towards “unfriendly countries,” they have nearly free rein to cop iconic logos, names, and menus in the process. “This week, Russia's trademark regulator fielded a trademark application for a McDonald's imitator brand called ‘Uncle Vanya,’” explains to Insider, which includes a suspiciously familiar golden arch-inspired emblem. The same applicant also filed trademarks for “Makdonald’s,” “MakDak,” and apparently just straight-up “Starbucks.” It’s the latest grim, tragicomic reminder that someone out there will always find a way to profit from misery.
