On 14 May 1992 the Russian Parliament finally passed the second and final hearing of the Computer Program and Database Protection Law. The law makes the copying of software illegal and lays down how damages should be awarded. Software is treated as a distinct form of intellectual property. There is a mechanism for the voluntary registration of computer programs and databases. This law conforms to European Commission Directive on Legal Protection Of Computer Programs, adopted by European Community last year. The law includes a clause which allows a delay of one and a half years for its application for some users. It permits anyone to use any software for home-use for 18 months. Educational and scientific organisations may also use software for this period without any problems. After 18 months the law provides very rigid conditions for software registration and it will mean that every copy should be authorised.
