Russia declares war on piracy

Russia

Recognising the problems of protecting intellectual property rights, especially in the field of software, music and film piracy, the Russian government has recently set up a special commission to protect intellectual property rights in Russia. The commission will be headed by Prime Minister Mikhail Kasianov and consists of officials from various governmental authorities together with representatives from intellectual property protection agencies and associations.

The commission's first task in battling piracy will be to introduce amendments to existing legislation as well as propose new laws on banning the unauthorized sale of the pirated products in the local markets. In order to achieve its objectives, the commission proposes to tighten the civil and criminal liability applicable to sellers of the counterfeited goods and to increase the frequency and effectiveness of police raids.

The commission also intends to increase the effectiveness of intellectual property legislation in Russia, with particular emphasis on copyright law. It aims to improve the system of identification marks, which are currently being illegally duplicated and placed on the counterfeited products. The proposed new system of identification marks is expected to be effective in preventing the use of fake holograms and labels.

Intellectual property specialists advising the Russian government generally agree that intellectual property legislation in Russia complies on the whole with the international principles for intellectual property protection. However, it is the enforcement of Russian intellectual property legislation that leaves much to be desired. Consequently, the commission intends to develop effective mechanisms for the immediate enforcement of Russian intellectual property legislation.

For further information please contact David Griston at [email protected] or on 00 7 095 2585000.