According to RBC Daily, Dmitry Medvedev - who bears no relation to the Russian Prime Minister of the same name - filed an application to the patents office to allow his construction company Miroviye Shedevry, or World Masterpieces, to use the image of four open rings and one closed ring as a trademark.

This image gained notoriety during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games when only four of the five snowflakes opened to display the Olympic logo.

Since the application was filed by Medvedev however, the IOC has told insidethegames they are opposed to the Russian's actions.

"The IOC is aware of this matter and is opposed to the trademark application because of its similarity with the Olympic Symbol," an IOC spokesperson said.

"An appropriate response will be given."

During the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Games, one of the five snowflakes failed to transform into a ring to symbolise the Olympic logo ©Getty Images



World Masterpieces has already started using the logo in an advertising campaign but wanted to "insure themselves against possible claims from the Olympic Committee," Medvedev said.

The application process is said to take a minimum of 12 months to process, during which time World Masterpieces will be able to continue using the image for advertising purposes.

Although the application is likely to be rejected, according to intellectual property lawyer Vladimir Etin, due to its similarity with the Olympic logo, he admitted it had been a good PR campaign by the company, adding: "Upon annulment of the application, no financial sanctions can be applied to the business."

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