Russia targeted Peppa Pig as a retaliation to the economic sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.

Russian businesses can use the trademarks of the cartoon character without being punished by a court.

Entertainment One, which holds the rights to the children’s series, had taken legal action against a Russian entrepreneur for creating his own version of Peppa Pig.

In September, the company asked for 40,000 rubles (PS400) as compensation. However, due to the collapse of the currency, this amount would now only be PS320.

However, a judge dismissed it and mentioned in his ruling “unfriendly actions of United States of America” and other affiliated countries.

A decree issued by the Russian government allows patent inventions and industrial design from “unfriendly” countries to be used without compensation or permission.

This includes 16 countries: the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Australia, Ukraine and the EU.

Numerous major brands have cut business ties to Russia, with Apple stopping product sales, IKEA closing stores and Disney cancelling movie releases.

After being criticized for not acting sooner, McDonald’s Russia has closed all its Russian outlets. Campaigners threatened to boycott McDonald’s.

Moscow is being feared by the Peppa Pig ruling, which has raised fears about trademark theft on a larger scale.

American lawyer Josh Gerben predicted that this could open the door for Russia to allow local operators to run closed McDonald’s restaurants.