Russia Issues Decree Providing For 0% Compensation For The Unauthorised Use Of Certain IP Rights Emanating From "Unfriendly Countries"

In response to the invasion by Russian forces of the Ukraine on 24 February 2022, various countries around the world imposed economic sanctions on Russia.  Such sanctions included a US embargo on Russian gas and oil, the freezing of Russian oligarchs' assets in certain countries, and the removal of Russia from the SWIFT network. Russia has undeniably felt the pinch of these sanctions, with the ruble falling to its lowest price in twenty years. 

The Kremlin has responded to these sanctions in turn, including with the amendment of Article 1360 of Part Four of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation by way Decree 299 (Decree) of 6 March 2022. Article 1360 is a compulsory licensing provision in Russian law which gives Russia the right, in case of emergency related to the defence and security of the state or protecting the life and health of citizens, allowing the use of an invention, utility model or industrial design without the consent of the rights owner.