Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed the law introducing mandatory pre-installation of software of Russian origin onto devices to be sold in the country, reports Comnews.ru. The signed law was published on the official web portal for legal information.
According to the law, which will enter into force from 01 January 2020, local software must be pre-installed on all smartphones, PCs and smart TV sets sold in the country. The government will draw up a list of devices and applications covered by the law, and companies face fines of RUB 500,000 to RUB 1 million for failure to comply with the law.
Last week, Russian industry group RATEK appealed to Putin, asking him to block the law. Producers and re-sellers of electronics and PCs, including Google, Аpple, Samsung and Intel are members of RATEK.
The companies voiced their concern that the new law could have a detrimental effect on market development and lead to monopolisation. They claim that the opinions of business and experts were not taken into account when preparing the law.
The legal requirements violate WTO principles and clauses of an agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAAU). The situation could lead to the disintegration of the EAAU and decrease business activity in the consumers electronics and PC markets.
The law was adopted by the lower chamber of the Russian Parliament on 21 November, and the upper chamber approved it on 25 November.
