Information Resources and Copyright: State Duma deputies propose to set up Copyright Internet Archive

State Duma deputies are going to set up a working group to develop legislative initiatives intended to regulate copyrights on Internet, and propose to launch an intellectual property archive, a so-called web-depository, announced the Head of State Duma Committee on Information Policy Sergei Zheleznyak.

At the meeting with representatives of Internet community the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev highlighted the necessity to go into the issues related to improvement of Russia’s legislation in the field of copyright regulation on Internet. Last week he promised that very soon he would formulate his proposals and offer them for discussion in the media.

The deputy believes that establishment of such a web-archive will identify the author of a material in case of disputes, by proving the fact and time of publication. Any Net surfer will be able to register his copyright on Internet.

Sergei Zheleznyak clarified that only that type of information, which in its location is accompanied by the information on its right holder (or his representative), and terms of use, must be considered the work under copyright protection.

Sergei Zheleznyak is convinced that legal regulations, which govern the issues concerning intellectual property on Internet, must clearly define categories of information that is subject to copyright protection.

In this case, the deputy says, user who has violated the terms of information use defined by the right holder, will be considered an undisputed violator, who must be prosecuted by the law.

Sergei Zheleznyak mentioned that the committee’s next meeting agenda will feature the issue on foundation of a working group charged with elaboration of legislative initiatives.

“If approved, members of the newly established working group will start elaborating ideas on intellectual property protection on the Web within the existing legal framework”, the parliamentarian concluded.