Russia bans street sales of DVDs, CDs

April 03, 2007 Russia has issued a new law banning the sale of DVDs, videocassettes and music CDs from its street markets and kiosks, in a further sign that the Kremlin is getting serious about combating piracy as coveted membership in the World Trade Organization moves closer. Industry observers in Moscow say the law should lead to a renewed crackdown on piracy through new police campaigns to stop the sale of optical discs at outdoor markets and street-corner kiosks -- the principal point-of-sale for pirated DVDs in Russia. Russia's lax record on stemming piracy has been among the key stumbling blocks to its membership in the world's top trade club.

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