Manna from heaven to be outlawed in Russia

A special work group gathered at the Russian Ministry for Culture to discuss new amendments to anti-piracy legislation.

The Ministry intends to expand the bill to protect copyright on the Internet to toughen responsibility for offenders. In particular, it was offered to introduce the notion of "the user file-sharing networks" in the federal law "On Information, Information Technologies and Protection of Information".

Thus, those using torrent trackers, along with providers and site owners, will be held accountable for the distribution of pirated content. According to the draft law, providers will have to send appropriate notifications to copyright infringers demanding the removal of illegally posted information.

Should the use ignore the notice within 24 hours after receiving it, the person will face administrative responsibility. The sum of the fine may amount to 5,000 rubles for citizens ($200), 50,000 rubles for officials and entrepreneurs ($1,700) and 1 million rubles for legal entities ($34,000).