Some 200 Telegram channels distribute illegal copies of books, accounting for a total audience is 2 million people. This estimate was provided by according to Maxim Ryabyko, Head of the Russian Association of Internet Rights Protection (AZAPI), in an exchange with business daily Vedomosti.
Pavel Durov’s instant messenger is now one of the largest sources of piracy in Russia, Ryabyko added. AZAPI estimates publishers’ losses at around 55 billion rubles every year (around $850 million at the current exchange rate), even taking into account the fact that not all users viewing messages on illegitimate Telegram channels ultimately download illegal content.
The size of the entire book market in Russia is estimated between 80 and 92 billion rubles. In 2017, online sales accounted for some 17% of this volume. Market leader Litres is co-owned by Eksmo, a major Russian publishing house, and Ozon, a leading e-commerce company.
