Russia mulls legalizing software piracy as it's cut off from Western tech

[Ohio Joe]

With sanctions against Russia starting to bite, the Kremlin is mulling ways to keep businesses and the government running. The latest is a creative twist on state asset seizures, only instead of the government taking over an oil refinery, for example, Russia is considering legalizing software piracy.

Russian law already allows for the government to authorize—“without consent of the patent holder”—the use of any intellectual property “in case of emergency related to ensuring the defense and security of the state.” The government hasn’t taken that step yet, but it may soon, according to a report from Russian business newspaper Kommersant, spotted and translated by Kyle Mitchell, an attorney who specializes in technology law. It's yet another sign of a Cyber Curtain that's increasingly separating Russia from the West.

The plan would create “a compulsory licensing mechanism for software, databases, and technology for integrated microcircuits,” the Kommersant said. It would only apply to companies from countries that have imposed sanctions. While the article doesn’t name names, many large Western firms—some of which would be likely targets—have drastically scaled back business in Russia. So far, Microsoft has suspended sales of new products and services in Russia, Apple has stopped selling devices, and Samsung has stopped selling both devices and chips.
Presumably, any move by the Kremlin to “seize” IP would exempt Chinese companies, which are reportedly considering how to press their advantage. Smartphone-makers Xiaomi and Honor stand to gain, as do Chinese automakers. Still, any gains aren’t guaranteed since doing business in Russia has become riddled with problems, spanning everything from logistics to finance.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/03/russia-mulls-legalizing-software-piracy-as-its-cut-off-from-western-tech/

No real surprise here. They will have a bit of a hard time with a lot of software-as-a-service stuff... Hard to pirate stuff running on a computer half a world away.

[Amishman]

1. my guess is they'll rapidly fall behind with security updates if they do this

which will cause its own mess of problems for them

[multigraincracker]

3. They just keep digging the hole deeper.

They may wish to think it thru.

[PortTack]

6. Oh sure...if they think anonymous has been a thorn in their side, just wait until savvy

Computer techie kids start poking around.

[lapfog_1]

2. China may not like that

after all, that encroaches on their crime family business

[SheltieLover]

4. Give their hackers something else to do, for worthless rubles, of course

I am amazed at the number of Western firms that were doing biz there. Are they so blinded with greed?
This surely must be illegal.

[Torchlight]

5. Putin addressed his 21st century letter of marque 'to whom it may concern'

He's lost the tactical, battlefield advantage and now it looks like he's doing his best to piss away any strategic advantages he may still have left.

[Irish_Dem]

7. So now Russia will start stealing everything taken away by the sanctions?

I wonder how that will work out?