Russian Non-commercial Organization «Russian Union of Right-holders», RUR

The Russian Union of Right-holders (RUR; Russian: Российский Союз Правообладателей, РСП) is a non-commercial all-Russian public organization founded in 2009 by figures from culture and the arts to implement and protect their rights to intellectual property. It is one of four organizations accredited by the Russian Federation for collective management of copyright and related rights. Its primary activity is collecting and distributing remuneration for the free reproduction of phonograms and audiovisual works for personal use, a levy paid by manufacturers and importers of equipment and storage media under Article 1245 of the Russian Civil Code. RUR is the sole organization accredited in this specific sphere, per Rosokhrankultura order No. 167 of 24 September 2010. It collects 1% of the customs value of a wide range of imported devices and media capable of recording or storing audio and video. The total volume of such imports was estimated at 300–600 billion rubles in 2012. RUR distributes a portion of collected funds to rights holders using popularity ratings including disc sales, TV and radio airplay, and internet download statistics. A significant share goes to legal entities such as music publishers, record companies, and film distributors. The organization also signed direct agreements with rights holders and cooperation agreements with Russian and foreign collective management societies. In 2014–2015, RUR proposed a global license fee for internet media content, suggesting a mandatory monthly payment of 25 rubles from Russian internet users, which was sent to the Ministry of Culture. The organization has faced legal disputes over its accreditation and registration, though it continues to operate.

The Russian Union of Right-holders (RUR) was established in 2009 as an all-Russian public organization by cultural and artistic figures to protect and manage their intellectual property rights. It emerged in the context of Russia's evolving copyright framework, particularly Article 1245 of the Civil Code, which mandates remuneration for the free reproduction of phonograms and audiovisual works for personal use. This remuneration is paid by manufacturers and importers of equipment and storage media. On 24 September 2010, by order No. 167 of Rosokhrankultura (the Federal Service for Supervision of Compliance with Legislation in the Field of Cultural Heritage Protection), RUR became the sole organization accredited to collect and distribute this remuneration. Government Resolution No. 829 of 14 October 2010 established the procedure for distribution and payment. RUR began collecting the 1% levy on imports in 2010. In the first two months of 2010, it collected 38 million rubles. Collections grew to 683.8 million rubles in 2011, with about 42% (469.2 million) distributed to rights holders. In 2012, collections reached 1.17 billion rubles, with 762.4 million (65%) paid out. For 2013, 3.4 billion rubles were collected, and 65% (2.21 billion) was planned for distribution, though only 1.72 billion was actually paid by year-end. RUR retained 15% of collections for its own expenses. The fate of the remaining 20% and its distribution principle were not specified in RUR's reports. The organization signed 2,526 direct agreements with rights holders by the end of 2011 and cooperation agreements with Russian collective management organizations (Russian Authors' Society, All-Russian Organization of Intellectual Property) and 13 foreign societies. Legal challenges arose: on 25 January 2011, the Moscow Arbitration Court annulled the accreditation results following a lawsuit by the Russian Society for Related Rights (ROSP), but this was overturned on 11 April 2011 by the Ninth Arbitration Appellate Court. On 2 March 2012, the Akushinsky District Court of Dagestan declared RUR's registration with the Ministry of Justice illegal. In 2014–2015, RUR proposed a global license for internet media content, suggesting a mandatory monthly fee of 25 rubles from internet users, with estimated potential annual collections of 600–860 million USD (36–52 billion rubles). The proposal was sent to the Ministry of Culture. RUR continues to operate as an accredited collective management organization.

• 2014

  Proposed global license fee for internet media content (25 rubles/month per user).

• 2013

  Collected 3.4 billion rubles; planned to distribute 2.21 billion but paid only 1.72 billion.

• 2012

  Collections reached 1.17 billion rubles; 65% paid out.

• 2012

  Akushinsky District Court declared RUR's registration illegal on 2 March.

• 2011

  Collections grew to 683.8 million rubles; 42% distributed to rights holders.

• 2011

  Moscow Arbitration Court annulled accreditation results on 25 January; overturned on 11 April by Ninth Arbitration Appellate Court.

• 2010

  Accredited by Rosokhrankultura order No. 167 as the sole organization for collecting private copying remuneration.

• 2010

  Government Resolution No. 829 established the procedure for distribution and payment of remuneration.

• 2010

  Collected 38 million rubles in the first two months of operation.

• 2009

  Founded as an all-Russian public organization by cultural and artistic figures.

State-accredited collective rights management organization for private copying remuneration in Russia.

• Private copying levy collection

  1% levy on imports of equipment and media capable of recording or storing audio/video.

• Remuneration distribution

  Distribution of collected funds to authors, performers, and producers using popularity ratings.

1. 1Главная - Российский Союз Правообладателейrp-union.ru
2. 2Russian Non-commercial Organization «Russian Union of Right-holders», RURwikidata.org
3. 3Российский союз правообладателейru.wikipedia.org