STS and Melnitsa Demand Compensation from Gridnev Khleb Bakery
STS and Melnitsa seek compensation from a bakery chain for unauthorized use of cartoon characters.
Lawsuits from TV channel STS and animation studio Melnitsa against the Rostov bakery chain Gridnev Khleb have been registered in the arbitration court. The documents were filed at the end of January.
STS is seeking to recover 100,000 rubles (approximately $1,000 at current rates) in compensation for the sale in September 2025 of goods featuring the image of Nudik — a character from the cartoon series «Three Cats». The TV channel claims that it did not grant permission for the use of this image.
Melnitsa wants to obtain 50,000 rubles (approximately $500 at current rates) for the sale of products with the image of Luntik or a similar depiction. This character is a trademark of the studio, and consent for its use was not provided.
Both companies sent pre-trial claims to Gridnev Khleb, but the bakery left them unsatisfied.
In the lawsuit, STS stated: «The plaintiff did not grant the defendant permission to use the exclusive rights belonging to it. The goods sold by the defendant were not introduced into civil circulation by the plaintiff or third parties with the plaintiff»s consent.«
The Gridnev Khleb chain has been operating in the Don region since 2010, although the legal entity was registered only in 2024. The founders are Aleksey Gridnev (51%) and Anastasia Gridneva (49%), and the director is Iya Leonova. There is no data on the company«s financial condition.
