WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Three Russian websites have been put on a list identifying online websites that engage or facilitate copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting, the US Trade Representative (USTR) stated in a report released on Thursday.
Initially, the USTR listed Rutracker.org and Rapidgater.net on its Notorious Markets List.
“The operators of these sites that reportedly facilitate piracy have allegedly based their operations in Russia to evade enforcement,” the report said.
Additionally, the USTR placed on the list the popular social networking site vk.com, also known as vKontakte.com, for regularly engaging in copyright infringement.
“vK’s operators responded to the Federal Register Request with information about their anti-piracy efforts, but the reported continuing scope and volume of infringing content demonstrates that more needs to be done to yield positive change,” USTR said.
But USTR explained that some vK operators continue to generate revenues by enabling the unauthorized sharing of music and other content through their sites and associated software applications.
The Notorious Markets List highlights websites that engage in and facilitate substantial copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting that harms US businesses. Identified countries hosting websites that violate copyright and trademark laws include Bulgaria, China, Ukraine, Canada, Poland and Nigeria, among others.
