From 01.03.2026, new requirements for the use of Russian and foreign languages on signs, websites, logos and other structures came into force. Information intended for the public must now be presented in Russian, and the use of foreign words is partly prohibited (Federal Law No. 168-FZ of 24.06.2025 "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation" (the "Russian Language Protection Law")). This has had a significant impact on business: many companies have had to substantially edit their websites and content and change logos, signs and other identifying elements of the company and/or product.

The main requirements of the Russian Language Protection Law

The Russian Language Protection Law applies to information placed for the public in publicly accessible places using signs and other means (inscriptions, pointers, plates, signs, structures, etc.), but does not apply to advertising structures (rules on "protecting the Russian language" were introduced for them earlier). The law establishes the following requirements:

• The text of signs and logos and the key elements of website interfaces (menus, buttons, explanations) must be in Russian. The use of anglicisms not included in the normative dictionaries of the Russian language (for example, "brainstorm" or "longread") is not permitted;
• Text in other languages is permitted only if identical information is given in Russian at the same time. The Russian text must convey the same meaning as the foreign-language text and be comparable in design (size, colour, font, etc.). Foreign words may not be used together with Russian words within one sentence on a website or logo other than as a translation.

Exceptions to the mandatory duplication rule: references to a company name, trademark or service mark registered by the organisation on signs, logos or websites.

Such elements may appear in a foreign language on signs, logos or websites without being duplicated in the state language of the Russian Federation, provided they are not part of descriptive information about the services provided (Article 1(2) of the Russian Language Protection Law).

Liability for non-compliance with the Russian Language Protection Law

Violating the Russian Language Protection Law is punishable by an administrative fine of RUB 500 to RUB 1,000 for sole proprietors and RUB 5,000 to RUB 10,000 for legal entities (Article 14.8(1) of the Code of Administrative Offences).

Note that these sanctions apply only to the public display of information not connected with advertising it. Advertising goods, services or other activities in breach of the law carries different liability: an administrative fine of RUB 2,000 to RUB 2,500 for individuals, RUB 4,000 to RUB 20,000 for sole proprietors and RUB 100,000 to RUB 500,000 for legal entities (Article 14.3(1) of the Code of Administrative Offences).

Conclusion

Organisations and sole proprietors must now ensure the priority use of Russian for public information: all information on signs and websites must be presented in Russian.

English may still be used, but only alongside an equivalent Russian version of the same meaning and design. This requirement can be disregarded only if the foreign name is registered in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities or there is a registered trademark or company name.

C Cases recommendations

To minimise risks, the C Cases team recommends that legal entities and sole proprietors:

• audit all logos, signs and websites for compliance with the Russian Language Protection Law;
• bring any non-compliant elements into line with the new requirements, including making the Russian version complete, implementing language switching properly and duplicating English elements in Russian (where necessary);
• register a foreign-language company name in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities (if you do not have one) if you do not plan to change all your signs, logos and other elements.

A legal entity's company name is registered as follows:

• Preparing an amended version of the legal entity's charter stating the company name (in Russian and a foreign language);
• Adoption and signing by the sole member of the legal entity of a decision to amend the charter and the register;
• Paying the state duty;
• Completing and filing an application with the Federal Tax Service.

A legal entity's foreign-language company name may differ from its Russian name but must not be misleading, contradict the Russian name or infringe the rights of third parties. In particular, it may contain foreign borrowings in Russian transcription or be a literal translation of the legal entity's Russian name, but in any case must correspond to the Russian company name;

• register a trademark.

Please note: the process takes considerable time (up to 18 months and 2 weeks, not counting the preliminary stage of preparing all the necessary documents) and significant expense (from RUB 35,000): the cost depends on the number of Nice Classification classes and includes the costs of filing the application, the examination and the registration of the trademark itself.

If you want to check your websites, signs and other information intended for the public for compliance with the Russian Language Protection Law, or plan to change your company name or register a trademark, the C Cases team is ready to carry out a comprehensive review and propose the best measures to minimise the risk of liability in line with your goals.

Sources

• Civil Code of the Russian Federation;
• Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation;
• Federal Law No. 168-FZ of 24.06.2025 "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation".