Russian Competition Practice Alert

In July 2009 the Russian Federation ("RF") State Duma adopted and the Council of Federation approved several important changes to Russia's antimonopoly laws that are aimed at improving and strengthening antimonopoly control, specifying antimonopoly procedures with greater precision, and increasing the liability for antimonopoly offenses and crimes. These changes have been implemented by way of amendments to the Federal Law on Protection of Competition (the "Competition Law"), to the RF Administrative Penal Code, and to article 178 of the RF Criminal Code.

Most of the amendments entered into force in late August. The amendments to article 178 of the RF Criminal Code will become effective October 30, 2009.