The Moscow City Court has granted a request filed by The All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK) to block access to a film stored on Rutor.org file-sharing website.

VGTRK filed its copyright infringement request under the anti-piracy law which took effect on August 1, 2013. Access to the film is cut for the next 15 days upon ruling of the court. VGTRK has to lodge a copyright infringement claim within these 15 days reasoning the alleged damage. If the company fails, the injunction will be lifted.

The anti-piracy bill was passed by the Duma on June 21 and approved by the Federation Council on June 26. It was then signed into law and took effect despite outcries from the Internet industry. The companies that opposed the law claim that it has numerous loopholes for abuse and unfair competition.

The law allows copyright holders to request the court to block contested content before ruling on its legality, without requiring them to try to contact the uploader before going to court.

Issues of injunction and punishment are handled exclusively by the Moscow City Court.

Several copyright infringement requests were filed with the court in this month asking to block access to films. Three copyright holders, VGTRK among them, succeeded so far.

All materials are protected by copyright of TV&P and the provider of the content RAPSI. If you need further information on the subject, contact Kristoffer Svendsen.

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