Agreed Copyright Measures: Belarus and Russia Strike Copyright Accord
The Belarus-Russia Intellectual Property Cooperation Agreement, approved by the Belarusian government in August 2025, outlines the key mechanisms and areas of cooperation for the legal protection of intellectual property between the two countries [5]. This agreement aims to strengthen bilateral collaboration, creating a more effective framework for protecting IP rights, facilitating enforcement, and enhancing the use of intellectual property in mutual economic activities.
Some of the key aspects of the agreement include cooperation in legal protection of IP rights, development of joint mechanisms for enforcement and combating infringement, and the promotion of exchange and protection of IP-related information. The agreement also supports the use and commercialization of intellectual property in trade and technology transfers between Belarus and Russia [5].
The State Committee on Science and Technology remains the coordinating body for the agreement [1]. The agreement includes cooperation in the areas of protecting rights to objects of intellectual property, protection and defense of rights in the digital environment, and coordination of positions on international platforms [1].
Notably, the agreement does not provide details about any potential penalties or consequences for non-compliance, nor does it specify a timeline for its implementation or enforcement [1]. Additionally, the agreement does not mention any specific loans as a part of the cooperation, nor does it establish any new bodies or ministries for cooperation beyond those previously mentioned [4].
The impact of this agreement is to enhance the reliability and efficiency of IP protection in both countries, which is crucial for innovation, technology development, and foreign investment. Stronger IP cooperation can improve confidence for businesses and creators by ensuring their rights are recognized and enforced across borders within this partnership [3].
This agreement comes in a geopolitical context where Belarus and Russia face sanctions from Western countries that affect technology transfers and intellectual property dealings [1][2]. By coordinating IP protection efforts, Belarus and Russia may aim to mitigate some effects of international restrictions on technology and dual-use goods. It could also facilitate bilateral technology development, licensing, and innovation despite external challenges [2].
The agreement has been published on the legal internet portal parvo.by [6]. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still tasked with sending a notification of the completion of the internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of the agreement [2]. The document does not specify any particular individual as a subject of the agreement [4].
The cooperation outlined in the Belarus-Russia Intellectual Property Cooperation Agreement, aimed at enforcing IP rights and boosting economic activities, encompasses the finance sector through the support for the use and commercialization of intellectual property in trade. This agreement also includes business collaboration in developing joint mechanisms for enforcement and combating infringement within the industry.
