Russian media report that the defense of the Pussy Riot punk band members who were sentenced to 2 years in prison on Friday, August 17, 2012 have submitted papers to register Pussy Riot as a trademark.

      According to their solicitor, the papers began to be prepared already in April. The reason was the necessity to protect the band's name from being abused in various other acts.

      Russian Twitter users, especially the ruling party representatives, laughed off the news and suggested a political motive behind the trademark decision.