New IP law that could contravene sanctions lands Belarus back on US watchlist

Belarus has been returned to the intellectual property rights watch list by the US Trade Representative’s Office (‘USTRO’), after introducing a new law permitting unauthorized use of copyrighted works from countries that have imposed sanctions on Belarus for its support of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

USTRO explained in a report published this month that the new Belarus law requires royalties to be collected for the unlicensed use of works, such as computer software, audio-visual and other copyrighted material on behalf of the rights owner for three years. If the royalties are not claimed by the right holder at that time, the money will be transferred to Belarus’s government, where it could go to help Russia’s war in Ukraine.

‘In this event, the Lukashenko regime would directly financially benefit from the unlicensed usage of others’ IP. The United States urges Belarus to rescind this law and to ensure that it complies with its international obligations, including with respect to copyright and related rights,’ the USTRO said.

USTRO had taken Belarus off the watch list in 2016.

https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/2023%20Special%20301%20Report.pdf