Bill on compulsory film licensing for distribution in Russia to be submitted to State Duma - MP Gorelkin

MOSCOW. Jan 9 (Interfax) - A bill is being drafted to ensure compulsory licensing of films for distribution in Russia, State Duma member Anton Gorelkin said.

"I think it's time that we put a stop to the dispute about mechanisms of compulsory licensing of Western films this year. To my knowledge, a bill is being discussed to enable movie theaters to legally screen new foreign films instead of engaging in the semi-legal practice of 'pre-show service'," Gorelkin said on Telegram on Monday.

"The first attempts at submitting such a bill for the State Duma's consideration were made last year but caused industry criticism," as experts saw a risk to Russian online movie theaters, he said.

"I believe that these concerns will be taken into account in the new approach, and compulsory licensing will apply to film distribution only," Gorelkin said.