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US approval of Russia’s WTO assession could rest on action to fight counterfeiting

NEW YORK - 01/13/06 - The Recording Industry of America Association (RIAA) is celebrating what it calls a "moral victory" in its worldwide crusade to stop music piracy, based on the US government's demand that Russian authorities work harder to stem widespread counterfeiting in their nation.
 
The RIAA issued a statement lauding the recent passage of a resolution by the US Senate that asked Russia to "work harder to fight piracy of music, software and other works of intellectual property protected by international copyright laws."

The measure was passed by the House of Representatives last November, and threatens to hinder Russia's bid to enter the World Trade Organization (WTO) if the country refuses to increase its efforts to halt piracy.

According to indistry press reports, President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the issue and the ramifications of the Congressional request when they recently spoke by telephone.
 
Both heads of state are reportedly close to completing negotiations for Russia to gain US approval to enter the WTO with the talks revolving around improving copyright protection and opening access to certain Russian markets for more US businesses.

Officials with the Washington-based RIAA, which successfully pushed the US government to crack down on digital piracy in the US and pursue illegal file-sharing networks, praised the Senate measure for issuing a clear demand that Russian officials step up their efforts to prevent piracy.

Mitch Bainwol, chief executive of the RIAA, said that intellectual property enforcement has been "sorely lacking" in Russia up to this point, and contended that the US shouldn't endorse trade agreements with countries that refuse to actively defend such assets.

"The US-Russia relationship must be built upon a mutual understanding of shared obligations and the application of the rule of law," Bainwol said in a statement.

"This resolution is significant because it expresses the will of the US Congress that Russia must take effective action against those who would steal America's knowledge-intensive intellectual property-based goods and services," he said. 

As proof that music piracy remains rampant in Russia, the RIAA pointed to recent comments made by the nation's Minister for Economic Development and Trade, German Gref, in which the official said that such counterfeiting "may now constitute a larger business in his country than illegal drugs."

The RIAA is also trying to make its voice heard in China's bid to become part of WTO.

In October, the group endorsed an effort by the Office of the US Trade Representative requesting that officials in Beijing "more clearly outline a plan for reducing counterfeiting."

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