In Ulyanovsk, the investigation into the criminal case against the director of the Dimitrovgrad company Bi-Plast, accused of producing counterfeit rear lights for Lada cars, has been completed. The case has been sent to court, and AvtoVAZ estimated the damages caused at over 11 million rubles.
The company Bi-Plast is owned by Irina Blumenstein, and its director is Mikhail Kalugin. The company's revenue for 2025 amounted to 58 million rubles, with a net profit of 2 million. Kalugin is also a co-owner of "Torgovy Dom Avtodetal" (Trading House Autopart), registered at the same address, and previously owned several other companies in the auto parts sector.
The director was charged under Part 1 of Article 147 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation – infringement of patent rights and illegal use of an industrial design causing significant damage. He faces up to two years of imprisonment. The manufactured parts and packaging bore trademarks similar to AvtoVAZ's proprietary marks.
Many specialists who worked at DAAZ, a supplier of components for Lada, remain in Dimitrovgrad. In 2025 alone, AvtoVAZ filed 13 lawsuits for compensation for the illegal use of trademarks. This is a standard practice for protecting intellectual property, which increases the value of the brand and protected trademarks.
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