Russian Cabinet concerned about infringements on intellectual property rights

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov has spoken out in favour of a comprehensive approach to resolving the problem of intellectual property rights protection. This problem was central to Thursday's Cabinet meeting.

The country where half of the audio and video products, and computer software is sold in violation of intellectual property rights is pirated--is a backward and ignorant country, said Mr Kasyanov. He voiced concern over the situation, saying that people in the arts, scholars and the state at large are actually being robbed.

The premier advocated a comprehensive approach to the problem. "What we need is a set of measures that would ensure that authors get adequate fees, which are currently 10 times as little as authors' fees of the Soviet times," said Mikhail Kasyanov.

Foreign businessmen are anxious about investing in Russia pointing to brand products being sold by bagmen along with chewing gums, said Mr Kasyanov.