Five years in prison for violating copyrights in internet

Alexei Pichuryn, the head of the copyright department at the National Intellectual Property Center, says there is no clear clause on the internet in the current draft. But this does not mean the law will not regulate copyrights in the web.

Under the law, internet service providers and mobile communication operators will be responsible for the illegal use of music, films and other pieces of art. The European Radio for Belaris also asked what those who pump music and films from the internet would face.

Theoretically, illegal users who pump content in violation of copyrights must be punished even now. Under the Belarus laws, the fans of illegal copies can be fined. Malicious violators can even be imprisoned for five years. However, such cases are very rare says Alexei Pichuryn.

In France, those who violate copyrights in the net are cut off from the internet for one year, fined for 30,000 euros or can even imprisoned for two years. In Germany, such actions are subject to criminal charges and up to five years in jail. In the UK, violators will be issued written warnings, but if this does not help they will reduce the speed of the internet connection.

According to Alexei Pichuryn, it is difficult to firecast that people will be brought to responsibility massively in Belarus, because of the lack of experience.

The draft legislation was developed with participation of specialists from the National Library of the Republic of Belarus, Belarusfilm cinema studio, the administration of the Hich-Tech Park and experts from the National Intellectual Property Center.