The Russian Parliament gave its preliminary approval to a strict law on intellectual property rights last month, should Sochi host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.
Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the law is set to “strengthen the struggle against counterfeiting in very possible way”.
The legislation now under effect has a full range of regulations ensuring maximal and comprehensive protection of the Olympic symbol, motto, flag, hymn, the words “Olympic” and “Olympiad”, and other Olympic designations and Olympic-related marks on Russian Federation territory, but the new measures taken will reinforce the existing regulations and bring Russian law in line with European standards.
Medvedev told the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, “we are taking upon ourselves obligations…to fight against counterfeit production. For the first time, we are introducing the confiscation of property and liquidation of firms that violate intellectual property and liquidation in cases of gross violations in this sphere”.
