What’s a country that’s been bombarded with sanctions and losing ties with some of the world’s biggest software companies to do? Not giving a damn about copyright laws anymore, apparently. Following a statement from the Russian Ministry of Economic Development earlier this week that proposed relaxing piracy legislation, a report from City A.M. now suggests it is indeed happening, with new laws being introduced to allow Russian companies to avoid paying patent holders for the use of their IP. Those of you who frequent torrent sites and other dark corners of the web are probably asking yourselves: “Wait, piracy was illegal in Russia?”
Russian government rolls back intellectual property rights in response to Western sanctions (City A.M.)
- The Russian government this week said Russian companies have no obligation to pay patent holders from countries that sanctioned Russia for use of their intellectual property, according to local media reports.
- The Russian government has effectively legalised piracy by introducing new laws stating that Russian firms are allowed to use innovations from unfriendly countries without paying to use the IP, according to state-backed newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
- The reports come after Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development last week told reporters that it was considering lifting IP rules to counter sanctions, with a view to encouraging Russian producers to manufacture certain goods.
Russia Reportedly Legalises Piracy of Games, Movies, and More (IGN)
- When it comes to Hollywood movies, it looks as though Russian people will be free to pirate them, and Russian politician Dmitry Ionin has even suggested that the country may unblock the torrenting suite RuTracker to help Russians pirate Hollywood films.
- “Since many Western studios have refused to release new films in Russia, the parliamentarian believes that thanks to the torrent tracker, users will be able to watch Hollywood films,” reports Gazetta.
- […] Microsoft, Sony, and many more gaming and entertainment companies have suspended sales of games and hardware across Russia. In doing so the companies have answered a call from Ukraine’s deputy prime minister, who asked “all game developers” to temporarily end support in Russia and Belarus.