Russia Blocks Pirated Content

On Nov. 24, 2014, Russian Parliament amended its anti-piracy law, thereby broadening the scope of pirated content which can be blocked. While the law initially limited access to websites with pirated movies and other videos, the amendments will now include websites that contain infringing books and music. Access to all pirated music, software and books can be limited or blocked at the request of the rights holder. Under the new law, the website administrator will only be given 24 hours from the time the request was sent to remove the pirated content — failing which access to the content will be blocked by Roskomnadzor, a governmental body.

In addition, all website owners will now be obligated to disclose their contact information, so as to facilitate the infringing content removal process.