IT and Authority: Model law “On Basics of Internet Regulation” adopted

At the 36th plenary meeting the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of CIS Member States adopted the model law “On Basics of Internet Regulation”, which was worked out by the Russian Association of Electronic Communications (RAEK).

The work over the draft was launched in 2008, and since there was a dynamic development of Internet it constantly included the provisions, which highlighted latest IT trends. Originally the document was planned to be called “The Law on Internet”, however as it determines only the basics of Internet regulation, its name was changed.

The law, adopted by the resolution № 36-10 of May 16 2011, covers three chapters and thirteen articles and is intended for regulation of public relations on Internet. For the first time it provides legal explanation for basic terms such as “Internet”, “Internet regulation”, “Domain name”, “Website”, “Internet Service Operator”, “Authorized body (on Internet)”, “Domain name (domain)” etc.

The document determines the procedure of support to Internet rendered by the state, governs the process of its regulation, relations between the participants of this process, their functions, and also establishes the rules for determining the place and time for legal actions when using the web.

The model law also regulates principles of preparation of legal acts, the role of the state and service operators. It also establishes basic principles of international cooperation in this area, and the concept of self-regulation.