Duma approves amendments to copyright regulations

The Russian State Duma approved today on the second reading amendments to the article 146 of the Criminal Code of Russia covering criminal responsibility for the violation of copyright and related rights. According to the bill, the appropriation of authorship (plagiarism), which incurs large damage to the author or the owner of the copyright is subject to the penalty of 200 to 400 minimal wages, or in the amount of 2-4 monthly wages, or obligatory work for 180 to 240 hours, or arrest for 3 to 6 months. Export, sale, leasing or other illegal use of copies of printed materials or phonograms aimed at receiving income, which are committed on a large scale, are punished in the same way, except for the term of the arrest, which amounts to up to 2 years.

If these crimes are committed repeatedly or on a regular scale; or by a group of individuals; or on a large scale, or using one's official position, they are punished with imprisonment for up to 5 years with confiscation of property or without it. Under crimes committed on a large scale the cost of the copies or the sum exceeding 100 minimal wages received from the exploitation of copyright, while on an especially large scale - the sum exceeding 500 minimal wages, are understood.

351 deputies voted for the approval of the bill, 6 voted against with no votes abstaining.