Kommersant: The authorities are discussing the abolition of liability for the use of unlicensed software

The Russian authorities are considering the option of partially removing liability for illegal use of software. This is reported by Kommersant with reference to relevant documents.

According to media reports, it is proposed to abolish criminal and administrative liability for the use of software unlicensed in Russia, “belonging to the copyright holder from the countries that supported the sanctions.”

It is clarified that among the possible measures in the table “Plan of priority actions to ensure the development of the Russian economy in the face of external sanctions pressure” there is also a mechanism for compulsory licensing in relation to software, databases and topologies for integrated circuits. Such actions are possible thanks to Article 1360 of the Civil Code on the use of an invention, utility model or industrial design without the consent of the patent owner.

Earlier, Interior Ministers of the CIS member states, Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, said that the number of IT-crimes in Russia has increased by one and a half times over the past two years. According to him, due to the coronavirus pandemic, citizens have become more active on the Internet, and organizations are more likely to use electronic platforms to provide services.

As reported, the Russian authorities have prepared a set of emergency measures to support the IT industry. According to media reports, the department proposes to give IT specialists a deferment from the army for the entire period of work in order to avoid their outflow from the country. Also among the proposed measures are a preferential mortgage with a rate of 5%, exemption of employees from personal income tax for three years, and IT companies themselves from income tax.