Belarusian government legalizes piracy, gray imports

January 6, BPN. The National Legal Internet Portal has published a new law that legalizes piracy and “gray” imports of goods from the so-called “unfriendly” countries.

Both houses of the National Assembly passed the bill in secrecy on December 20 and 21.

The legislation should help stabilize the economy and prevent critical shortages, authorities said on January 6.

It overrides the copyright law, allowing for the use of intellectual property, including software, music, broadcasts, and audiovisual works, without consent of the copyright holders.

Authorities may offer consideration to the copyright holder to be claimed from the patent agency’s account within three years after the funds are credited, while unclaimed funds remain in the national budget.

The new legislation will remain in force until December 31, 2024.

Authorities listed Albania, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the EU, Montenegro, New Zealand, Norway, North Macedonia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom as “unfriendly” states. These entities adopted sanctions against Belarus over human rights abuses and the country’s complicity in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.