Copyright law - Russian Federation: Recognition and protection of copyright in computer software and databases on the territory of the Russian Federation

It is still not unusual for the letter of the law to vary from practical realities of doing business in Russia, especially when it comes to the protection of property rights. Nevertheless, legislative foundation for recognition and protection of copyright in an intellectual property, such as a computer program or a database, does exist in the Russian Federation (the RF). These safeguards provide legitimate copyright holders with the legal tools to contend with computer pirates, despite the inconsistent application of legislative requirements and practical difficulties connected with collection of evidence and enforcement of court decisions. With the passage of time, however, copyright owners as well as Russian authorities will become more actively involved in combating Russian pirates in the sphere of intellectual property, thereby eliminating various bureaucratic and evidentiary hurdles that exist in Russia today. This article explores the development and enforcement of software and database copyright law within the RF.