Belarus legalizes piracy of digital media from 'unfriendly' countries

Belarus has passed a law permitting the digital piracy of certain materials whose rights are held in "unfriendly" countries. — Photography NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP

Belarus has a very particular vision of illegal downloads. While digital piracy is on the wane around the world, Alexander Lukashenko's government has just enacted a law allowing the unauthorized use of certain forms of digital media.

This new legislation, signed into law on January 3 by President Alexander Lukashenko, stipulates that it is now legal to consume pirated movies, TV series, music and computer software, if the rights holders are from foreign countries on bad terms with Belarus. The states in question are those "that commit unfriendly actions against Belarusian legal entities and (or) individuals," reports Deadline. This law also applies to digital media for which the rights are held by international companies based in these "unfriendly" nations.