Introduction.
Russia has just amended its Penal Code increasing sanctions for copyright infringement. However, this is not the last change Russia is going to make in its system of Copyright and related rights (hereafter Copyright) protection. Draft amendments to the Copyright and related rights Act of Russia have been recently introduced to Duma. This note aims to briefly discuss the most significant changes that are going to be brought about if the draft is adopted in its current version.
The draft intends to make existing laws of Russia comply with International legal norms in the field of Copyright. In particular the Explanatory note states that the draft will bring current law in accordance with the TRIPS Agreement, WIPO Copyright Treaty 1996 (WCT), WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty 1996 (WPPT) and both collectively "WIPO Internet Treaties", EC Copyright Directive 2001.
