International recording industry welcomes Russian government's creation of anti-piracy task force

October 7, 2002

The international recording industry today warmly welcomed the setting up by the Russian government of a new anti-piracy task force to be headed by Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov. IFPI, the organisation representing the recording industry worldwide, said the music industry in Russia and internationally wants to cooperate closely with the government so that the new initiative makes a real impact on Russia's rampant music piracy trade.

IFPI Chairman and CEO Jay Berman said: "We are very encouraged that the Russian government, from the highest level, has now recognised the need to act aggressively against the country's very high levels of copyright piracy. The priority now is that the government works to coordinate the activities of the different ministries responsible in this area, and that there is very close cooperation between the government and the legitimate music industry. We hope that this initiative will produce real change on the ground in Russia, and that in turn will be a significant boost for Russia's intention to join the World Trade Organisation.

"Russia's rampant piracy is a huge cultural and economic drain on the country. It causes enormous damage to culture, economy and foreign investment. And it denies Russia the place its record companies, artists and musicians deserve in the international music industry."

Background for Editors

1. It was announced on Thursday 3 October that the Russian Cabinet of Ministers approved the setting up of a new intellectual property task force that will be headed by Prime Minister Kasyanov and made up of Economic Development and Trade, Justice, Press, Culture and Interior ministries, as well as representatives of Rospatent and public intellectual property organisations.
   
   
2. At the end of 2001 a new legitimate Russian music industry association came into being, the first of its kind to be officially affiliated to IFPI. The National Federation of Phonogram Producers (NFPP) represents over 70% of the music industry in Russia and unites thirteen major Russian and international record companies for the first time.
   
   
3. Russia has the second largest music piracy market in the world, after China, and one of the highest piracy rates in the world at 65%. Russia is one of IFPI's top priority countries in terms of fighting piracy. IFPI's European Executive Committee visited Moscow in May 2002 and held a series of meetings with Russian government officials.

For further information contact:
Adrian Strain or Fiona Harley at IFPI on Tel: +44 (0)20 7878 7900