Copyright Protection Agency set up in Russia

A National Copyright Protection Agency /NCPA/ has been set up in Russia with the purpose of combating illegal production and distribution of counterfeit software and audio/video produce. As of today, the share of illegal trade of pirate products amounts to 85-95% in some sectors of this market, which means the state and copyright holders lose of up to 3 billion rubles every year. The newly set-up organisation is expected to minimize losses in the sphere. In 2001, the NCPA intends to set up 7 basic subsidiaries in the centres of Russia's federal districts. Public inspectors engaged in these subsidiaries will report cases of counterfeit product sales to the National Agency. At the moment, the agency is busy locating centres specializing in counterfeit products. In late March, police and NCPA inspectors have jointly seized 100,000 pirate CDs. A few days ago, the NCPA exposed a company that produced counterfeit Microsoft software.

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