How can infringed IP rights be enforced in Russia and what are the available remedies?

Question 1

What are the procedures and sanctions applicable in the case of a public prosecution of IP infringement?

Answer 1

Criminal and administrative actions are initiated by the police, the Federal Antimonopoly Service and local customs, other state bodies authorized to investigate IP infringements (such as Rospotrebnadzor, the Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well- being) or by the rights holder filing a complaint with one of the above agencies.
To qualify for criminal proceedings, the infringement should result in gross damage to an IP right/trademark owner or consumers. Damages are considered to be “gross” if they are equal to or exceed RUB 250,000 for copyright infringement and RUB 100,000 for trademark infringement. Repeated infringement can also be subject to criminal proceedings. The authority in charge will investigate the case and submit the case files to the court for further consideration and a decision. The decision of the court of first instance may be further appealed in the court of appeals and in the cassation court.
In Russia, legal entities cannot be held liable for a criminal offense. Criminal charges may be lodged against the director(s)/manager(s) of the entity responsible for the infringement of copyright and neighboring rights, patent, trademarks and appellations of origin. Depending on the scale and gravity of the crime, the court hearing the criminal case may adjudge a punishment in the form of a fine, forced or compulsory work or imprisonment.
Administrative sanctions (fines or confiscation of infringing products) are applicable to both individuals and legal entities. The sanctions applied to legal entities are stricter than those applied to individuals. If a legal entity repeatedly or grossly infringes IP rights, the court may decide to liquidate it.
A civil claim may be filed in a criminal trial, but to obtain damages in case of administrative liability, the IP owner must file a civil lawsuit at the same time.
There is also an option to try to block the infringing websites selling clear-cut counterfeits through the state prosecutor. This option is only emerging but to date many infringing websites have already been deemed infringing and have been blocked by the court at the prosecutor’s request, without the direct involvement of the rights holder. The state prosecutor, who is the claimant in the proceedings, files all applications; the rights holder does not participate in such court cases.

Question 2

may be lodged against

Answer 2

Может быть подан против

Question 3

scale and gravity of the crime

Answer 3

Масштабы и серьезность преступления

Question 4

To adjudge a punishment in the form of a fine

Answer 4

Назначить наказание в виде штрафа

Question 5

clear-cut counterfeits

Answer 5

Явный контрафакт

Question 6

What civil remedies for IP infringement are available in Russia?

Answer 6

Remedies under civil proceedings include the following:
• recognition of IP rights by the court
• cessation of the actions that infringe the right or create the threat of such infringement
• payment of damages or — alternatively, for patent, trademark, appellation of origin, copyright and neighboring rights holders — of statutory compensation in the amount of:
o from RUB 10,000 to RUB five million
o double the value of the counterfeit products — for copyrights, neighboring rights, trademarks and appellation of origin
o double the royalties that would be due under similar circumstances — for patents, trademarks, copyrights and neighboring rights
• seizure of material carriers containing unauthorized representation of the intellectual property rights • publication of a court decision on infringement
In addition to the above enforcement options, Russian law additionally provides an option to block the websites that infringe exclusive rights for works of copyright, except for photos, through the Moscow City Court (see Section 14.9 below).

Question 7

recognition of IP rights by the court

Answer 7

Признание прав на ИС судом

Question 8

cessation of the actions that infringe the right or create the threat of such infringement

Answer 8

Прекращение действий, которые нарушают право или создают угрозу такого нарушения

Question 9

payment of damages or — alternatively, for patent, trademark, appellation of origin, copyright and neighboring rights holders — of statutory compensation

Answer 9

Возмещение убытков или, в качестве альтернативы, за патент, товарный знак, наименование происхождения, правообладателям и владельцам смежных прав - предусмотренную законом компенсацию

Question 10

double the value of the counterfeit products — for copyrights, neighboring rights, trademarks and appellation of origin

Answer 10

Двойная стоимость контрафактной продукции - для авторских прав, смежных прав, товарных знаков и наименования происхождения

Question 11

double the royalties that would be due under similar circumstances — for patents, trademarks, copyrights and neighboring rights

Answer 11

Двойная стоимость права использования (роялти), которая причиталась бы при аналогичных обстоятельствах - за патенты, товарные знаки, авторские права и смежные права

Question 12

seizure of material carriers containing unauthorized representation of the intellectual property rights

Answer 12

Изъятие материальных носителей, содержащих несанкционированное представление прав на ИС

Question 13

publication of a court decision on infringement

Answer 13

Публикация решения суда о допущенном нарушении