VKontakte.ru, Russia’s leading social network also known as VK.com, has recently won two cases brought against them for infringing the copyright of certain songs featured on their website. Experts are struggling to agree on whether or not the social network will be invulnerable to such claims in the future. Nikitin Digital Media Content lost a lawsuit …
According to research carried out by the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM), just a quarter of Russians are ready to pay for online content. The survey was designed to measure the public response to Russia’s new anti-piracy legislation, enacted in July 2013. The law does not target users who simply view or download illegitimate content for personal use, but …
Just a quarter of Russians willing to pay for online content Read More
In partnership with comScore, Ernst and Young and The Next Web, East-West Digital News is releasing a 100-page study on the Russian online video market, a fast-growing segment that deserves renewed attention. A variety of factors is set to drive strong further growth, from the new anti-piracy legislation – which is likely to increase content …
International study sheds full light on Russia’s online video market Read More
Just two months after strict anti-piracy legislation came into force, Russia’s largest online video services have formed the Internet Video Association in order to help shield the market against pirated video content. The union defines itself as “a nonprofit organization that assists in the proper application of the anti-piracy law while avoiding discrimination and repression,” according to its chairman Oleg Rumyantsev, …
A certificate on the incorporation of a United Pirate Party of Europe was signed on September 4 in Luxemburg. Representatives of 14 piracy movements from Germany, Sweden, Finland, Norway, France and Russia joined the party. According to its manifesto, prepared back in July, the main focus of the newly created party will be fighting for transparency …
Last Friday, the First Deputy Director of the Presidential Administration, Vyacheslav Volodin, met with representatives of Russian media and Internet companies. Among the participants were top managers of leading Internet and media companies operating in Russia, including Arkady Volozh, the CEO of search engine giant Yandex, Maëlle Gavet, CEO of major e-commerce site Ozon.ru, and …
Kremlin meets with Internet industry leaders to discuss self-regulation Read More
VKontakte Ltd, the owner of Russia’s leading social network Vkontakte.ru (VK.com), is seeking government registration of the VK.COM trademark in Russia far beyond the Internet business. The company’s application for the specific look and font of its brand name was formally accepted and granted priority status on July 26, 2013.
The new Russian legislation intended to stop online piracy came into effect on August 1. A long-awaited victory for copyright holders, the law facilitates the prosecution of website owners violating intellectual property rights and enables courts to issue warrants to block websites that violate copyright laws if illegal content is not removed within 24 hours. The legislation …
Russia’s anti-piracy law comes into effect; key players and analysts divided on its impact Read More
VKontakte, Russia’s biggest social network also known as VK.com, is keen on negotiating a way for its users to listen legally to the music from the world biggest record labels’ catalogues. Pavel Durov, CEO and founder of VKontakte, told Vedomosti that his company, together with Sony Music, Warner Music and Universal Music, is looking for …
International record labels to hold talks over music copyright with VKontakte Read More
Last week the Russian parliament passed a new law against movie piracy on the Internet, which will take effect on August 1, 2013 if signed by the President. The new regulation allows copyright holders to file lawsuits against websites violating their intellectual property. The court will issue a warrant to block the website if the violating …
New anti-piracy law for video content shocks the industry Read More
As Russian media sources air reports about VKontakte (VK.com), Russia’s largest social network, getting rid of its illegal music content, VK.com itself denies any widespread purges, mollifying user protests with a ‘business as usual’ sort of message. “VKontakte, facing the imminent adoption of Russia’s anti-piracy law, is busy removing its illegal music content – perhaps,” …
Russia pushes anti-piracy legislation; VKontakte’s laxity once again in the limelight Read More
The Court of Arbitration for Russia’s Northwest Federal District last week let stand all prior court decisions obligating VKontakte.ru (VK.com), Russia’s number one social network, to pay Gala Records, the first private record label in Russia, a total of 550,000 rubles (about $17,700) in damages for illicit displays of 11 tracks by MakSim, a Russian …
Court upholds Gala Records damage claims against VKontakte over Russian pop singer tracks Read More
