In Russia, “gray” iPhones will be sold, and cinemas will download films from the Internet. This is true?

We explain how the Russian government is trying to cope with the departure of foreign businesses

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, hundreds of foreign companies have completely or partially left Russia - according to Forbes estimates, they provided jobs for more than 200 thousand people. The government is counting on a quick return of foreign business, but at the same time is drafting new laws in case this does not happen. “Cold” tells how the authorities are trying to prevent unemployment and commodity shortages.

Russia has allowed “gray” imports. Now goods can be imported, even if the manufacturer has prohibited it

To prevent shortages of goods due to the departure of foreign companies, the government allowed parallel (“gray”) imports. This means that goods can be imported into Russia without the consent of the copyright holder.

For example, a Russian importer who purchased a batch of Apple smartphones from an official supplier abroad will be able to legally sell it within the country. Previously, Apple could demand in court to compensate it for losses at the expense of an unauthorized importer, seize the shipment, or destroy it as counterfeit. Now he can't.

The list of goods for which “gray” imports are permitted includes products from approximately 200 brands that have left Russia, Izvestia and Interfax reported, citing a yet unpublished order from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The list includes Apple phones and headphones, Samsung and Sony electronics, premium Tesla and Land Rover cars, Volvo and Hyundai engines, X-Box and Play Station game consoles, as well as clothing and shoes from any manufacturer.

External management of foreign companies may be introduced. Factories will produce the same thing, the state will do this

Deputies introduced to the State Duma a bill on external management of companies that left the country without “obvious economic reasons.” According to the author of the project, State Duma deputy Anatoly Vyborny, this measure can be applied to about 10% of companies that have suspended their activities in Russia. The State Duma has not yet considered the document.

How will it work? Let’s say a foreign owner suspended the work of a factory in Russia that produced pasta. According to the bill, the court will be able to transfer this factory under the control of the state corporation VEB.RF, so that its manager will resume production and continue to pay salaries to employees. Moreover, if a foreign owner decides to sell his stake in this company, leaving himself less than 25% of its shares, or return to Russia and manage the business independently, then the court will terminate external management.

Music and films may be forced to license

Since February 24, several foreign media companies, including Universal, WarnerMedia, Sony and Disney, have canceled film rentals in cinemas and releases on Russian music and video services. While already released films and TV series are available on Russian platforms, foreign companies have not terminated licensing contracts with Russian partners. But, according to Vedomosti sources, there is a possibility that they will do this later.

Vedomosti also reports that the authorities are developing a bill that would allow forced licensing of foreign films and music. If it is accepted, then with the permission of the court, cinemas will be able, for example, to legally show the new “Batman”. And to pay for the licensing agreement, they will be able to issue preferred shares to Warner Bros. - this means that she will have the opportunity to receive income from impressions.

The bill is still being prepared, but some Russian cinemas, on their own initiative, have begun to unofficially show films whose distribution has been cancelled. For example, on April 21, the Moscow WIP cinema showed a pirated copy of the new “Batman” downloaded from the Internet. On the night of April 23, viewers watched the same film with unofficial dubbing in Yekaterinburg. The Centaur cinema in Chita is hosting screenings of “Batman” and the Pixar cartoon “I’m Blushing” starting April 21.