The Russian Government Legalized the Parallel Import

As we have already mentioned, the Federal Law No. 46 “On Amending Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” entered into full force and effect on 8 March 2022 and empowers the Government to enact in 2022 a list of goods that will be exempt from certain provisions of the Russian Civil Code on the protection of exclusive rights to intellectual property (link).

On 29 March 2022, the Russian Government enacted Resolution No. 506 “On goods (group of goods) in relation to which certain provisions of the Russian Civil Code on protection of exclusive rights to intellectual property objects and means of individualization cannot be applied”. Under this Resolution, the Ministry of Industry and Trade shall introduce a list of goods in relation to which para. 6 of art. 1359 and art. 1487 of the Russian Civil Code are not applied provide that the said goods (group of goods) are put into circulation outside of Russia by the right holders (patent holders) or upon their consent.

According to the Government official website (link), the decision will help to supply the domestic market with high-demand goods and stabilize their prices.

Thus, the rule of international exhaustion of rights will apply for the goods listed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Such a list is likely to include electronic devices, clothes, food, medicines, medical devices, etc.