MOSCOW, August 17 (RAPSI) – Russia’s communications watchdog Roskomnadzor announced on Thursday that five websites distributing pirated multimedia content had been blocked based on the Moscow City Court’s ruling.

The decision was made upon applications of copyright holders, Sony Music Entertainment and Examen Publisher. The traffic of websites is ranging from 8,700 to 4 million Russian Internet users per month, the watchdog claims.

According to the statistics, in the first half of 2017, Roskomnadzor received 76 rulings of the Moscow City court on the permanent block of 160 Internet resources, the statement reads.

The anti-piracy law took effect in Russia on August 1, 2013, despite protests from Internet companies. It sets out the legal grounds and procedure for limiting access to websites that distribute movies and TV films in violation of copyright.
In May 2015, the law effect was extended to websites distributing pirated copies of books, music pieces and software.

The law also includes rules for bringing to account or condoning information brokers (Internet and hosting providers).