Putin is meeting with his G8 buddies in Germany these days. While they are discussing global warming and its counter measures, Putin also wants to talk about the Russian entry to the WTO. One of the US arguments against this entry has always been the loose copyright laws and the way Russia deals with counterfeit software, DVD’s and other media.

Just a few weeks ago rumor was, that the government is cracking down hard on kiosks and other sales of unlicensed DVD’s. Only 10 days ago I have been at Gorbushka Market, famous for its wealth on pirated DVD’s, CD’s and all kinds of media. I talked to one of my contacts there and when I asked him about my fear of not being able to buy anymore cheap DVD’s from him he smiled and told me that the government was trying to close Garbushka and crack down on these illegal sales for the past 5 years, but never took any serious action.

Well, I have just been at Garbushka market today and most of the unlicensed media is gone. What happened? Two days ago all of the sales people were contacted by the markets administration and told to remove illegal products until 6 PM that afternoon or they’d suffer the consequences. They were warned, that this time it was real and they’d really get into troubles, if they’d continued to sell unlicencsed media. Most of the sales guys replaced the illegal DVD’s and software with licensed ones, which are double (and more) in price. If you talk to them, they will still offer you illegal warez and films, but most likely they will soon leave Garbushka market and go into the underground. So go for another Gorbushka visit soon. Get yourself a few more of your classic movies or recent blockbusters for a bargain, before Gorbushka will be emptied out of wares and the copied DVD’s. Make sure to ask your salesman for his phone number, many of them will offer delivery of their (illegal) unlicenced movies as an alternative.

This being said, it’s probably time to say goodbye to the old days, when you could walk through this media paradise, which had to offer ANYTHING you wanted for 150 Rubels ($5) and less. Maybe its just a period and the old times will come back one day. We’ll see… At least Russia may make it into the World Trade Organization. One dispute seems to be settled, for now.

Links:

History of Gorbushka on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorbushka

Website of Gorbushka Market (in Russian):

http://www.gorbushka.ru

Address:

Ul. Barklaya Dom 8

Metro: Bakrationovskaya

10 AM - 9 PM