VIA Gra

The group has two names: VIA-Gra (in Russian) and Nu Virgos (in English). Sony signed them in 2002, and decided to begin marketing them internationally. Their original name, VIA-Gra, of course, is very close to "Viagra", the trademarked name of the well-known anti-impotence drug sildenafil citrate, owned by the American pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer, Inc. In order to avoid a trademark lawsuit (and other possibly unwanted interpretations in the minds of the public), Sony told them to choose another name to use on the international market. With a wry sense of humor, they choose the name Nu Virgos (ie., The New Virgins). They use both names: VIA-Gra in Russia and the CIS, and Nu Virgos internationally.