Maxim Ali has commented on the Ministry of Economic Development’s response to a bill on blocking websites

The Ministry of Economic Development has highlighted the need to finalise a bill drafted by the Federal Antimonopoly Service on blocking sites and mobile applications for up to 90 days that violate competition laws. According to the Ministry of Economic Development, the proposed penalty will have a negative impact on the development of online businesses and increase the burden on the judicial system.

Maxim Ali, Head of IP/IT practice at Maxima Legal, shared the concerns of the Ministry of Economic Development regarding the enforcement of administrative penalties due to the technical aspects of blocking websites.

Nevertheless, Maxim was not able to agree with the conceptual criticism made of the Federal Antimonopoly Service’s proposals. According to Maxim, the introduction of blocking websites as part of an administrative penalty could be the first step towards the measure becoming used more systematically. In particular, Maxim explained to Advokatskaya Gazeta, that the bill provides breaching parties with an opportunity to explain their positions and put forward their arguments against any restriction of access. Furthermore, noted Maxim, it is possible to imagine a situation whereby administrative suspension and the blocking of the site will differ, and the proper drafting of sanctions will avoid imposing on the same person double liability.

To read the article in full (in Russian), please see the Advokatskaya Gazeta website >>>