Two victories
In early April 2026, Viatris Specialty, the company that took over the rights to Viagra from Pfizer some time ago, managed to score two victories in a single day: a double win before the Cancellation Division of the European Union Intellectual Property Office, EUIPO. Viatris not only knocked out the trademark registration for Vita-Gra’s erectile dysfunction pills, but also brought down the trademark protection for Kamagra’s pills.
Reputation
In both cases, Viatris successfully relied on the enormous reputation of the Viagra mark. The public would easily make a link between the marks Vita-Gra and Kamagra and the world-famous Viagra, Viatris argued. Naturally, the fact that the products are of the same kind plays an important role here. EUIPO agreed. According to the trademark office, both cases indeed involved “free-riding”: an attempt to take unfair advantage of Viagra’s reputation. Just look at those Viagra-blue pills from Vita-Gra and Kamagra! Denial is pointless.
Taking action is essential
For owners of well-known marks, it is essential to act just as assertively as Viatris. That is the only way to keep imitations at bay and prevent trademark rights from being eroded. In earlier cases, Viatris — and before that Pfizer — had already managed to remove many similar marks from the register in this way. Viagor Power, Vyagra, Styriagra, Veragra and Viapro: they all lie in the erectile-pill graveyard. And that is precisely why Viagra still stands so proudly today. Thanks to the decisive action of Viatris and its predecessor, Pfizer.
Bas Kist
Photo by David Trinks on Unsplash
