Parallel import will not be legalized until Russia's accession to the WTO

Foreign manufacturers of branded goods can stay calm till next spring: parallel import will not be legalized until Russia's accession to the WTO. At yesterday meeting the First Deputy Prime Minister Mr Igor Shuvalov instructed officials and businessmen to further developing of this issue and find a compromise. The meeting's participants believe that the delay associated with the hopes that Russia will join soon the WTO. In April 2011, the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the RF requested the Government to allow importation of branded products in Russia by third parties without holder's permission. According to agency's officials it will promote competition and create the prerequisites for reducing the prices of imported goods. В частности, ФАС предложила поправить статью 14.87 Гражданского кодекса и статью 14.1 закона «О защите конкуренции» (см. РБК daily от 09.06.11 и от 09.08.11). По существу эти поправки должны изменить действующий в России региональный принцип исчерпания прав на международный (при региональном принципе продажи брендированной продукции другими лицами допускаются лишь с разрешения правообладателя, а при международном — правообладатель теряет исключительное право на продукцию сразу после ее продажи). В конце апреля правительство поручило Минэкономразвития, Минпромторгу, Минобрнауки и ФТС рассмотреть эти предложения и вынести свои заключения. Yesterday at the workshop chaired by Igor Shuvalov officials, representatives of importer companies and owners discussed the issue of liberalization of parallel importation. According to RBC daily the representative of Secretariat of First Deputy Prime Minister, this question is strategic and requires a detailed study . All agreed that it should not be hurried and needed to develop a literate and coherent position. Agencies and businessmen are invited to finalize their proposals . The next meeting will be held on this matter as soon as it becomes clear that the right holders and importers have found a compromise,  as the official added. The participants of the meeting told RBC daily, that the final decision will be made in March-April 2012. Source: rbcdaily.ru/2011/08/18/market/562949981282071