Security News > 2022 > March > Piracy OK: Russia to ease software licensing rules after sanctions
The Russian authorities are drafting a set of measures to support the country's economy against the pressure of foreign sanctions, and when it comes to software licensing, the proposal greenlights a form of piracy.
This special process will be eligible for cases where the copyright holder is from a country that has supported sanctions against Russia and only for products with no available Russian alternatives.
The move comes in response to numerous software vendors exiting the Russian market and suspending new license sales, most notably Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, NVIDIA, IBM, Intel, and AMD. Article 1360 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation allows the government to "Use of an invention, utility model, or industrial design without the consent of the patent holder" without permission as long as the patent holder is notified and a reasonable fee is paid.
In multiple proposed amendments to the Russian Civil Code, the Russian Ministry of Digital Transformation wants to bypass compensation to license holders who are under sanction restrictions so that they can continue using the software.
"Amending Art. 1360 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation regarding the use of a license and other types of rights to RIA and the abolition of compensation to foreign companies originating from states that have acceded to the sanctions Federal Law," reads the translated proposed amendments.
Russia is preparing to disconnect from the global internet, limiting access to information for the Russian people.