These are just two elements of the an emerging agreement between
Russia and the US which Russia hopes will pave the way for its
entry into the World Trade Organisation. The US is thought to have
blocked Russia's entry on several grounds, one of which was its
record on copyright abuse.
Russia's copyright protection laws are weaker than those in the
US and many European countries, as evidenced by the fact that
controversial music website Allofmp3.com claims to operate legally
in Russia but would be shut down by now in many other
countries.
Russia has recently undertaken partial reform of its copyright
laws in a bid to have the US back its entry into the WTO. It is the
largest economy in the world not already a member of the body.
OUT-LAW has seen an agreement between the US and Russia which
outlines action to be taken by Russia to comply with copyright
protection in the US/European mould.
In the agreement, between US Trade Representative Susan Schwab
and Russian Minister of Trade and Economic Development German Gref,
Russia agrees to conduct surprise raids at any time of the day or
night, to ban its military facilities from duplicating copyrighted
material and to investigate Russia-based web companies distributing
copyright-protected music.
"I am pleased that we have concluded this important agreement in
connection with Russia’s WTO accession negotiations," said Schwab.
"This is a strong and far-reaching commercial agreement that meets
the high standards of President Bush’s market-opening trade agenda
and moves Russia closer to full integration into the global,
rules-based trading system."
Intellectual property rights have been seen as a major stumbling
block to US support for Russia's entry into the WTO. The US is home
to many of the world's major entertainment companies. Agricultural
tariffs have also played a vital role in negotiations.
The deal was struck in time for US President George Bush's
meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation meeting last week. "Today, Vladimir and I are
pleased to report that after a long set of negotiations,
Representative Gref and Ambassador Schwab have signed agreements
that will be good for the United States and good for Russia – and
that is we support Russia's accession into the WTO," said Bush at
that meeting.
The agreement will also allow for the dutry free importing into
Russia of IT equipment such as computers and semiconductors, a
major piece of tariff reform that will open up the Russian market
for US manufacturers.
