The Ministry of Culture refused to release “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” through compulsory licensing, stating that the films did not meet the goals of “preserving and strengthening traditional Russian spiritual values.” The Ministry responded to the proposal of Vladislav Davankov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma. RBC.
“The movies you recommend for the citizens of our country to watch: Barbie and Oppenheimer do not meet the goals and objectives set by the head of state to preserve and strengthen traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.”
– says message.
In its response, the Ministry of Culture referred to the position of the Ministry of Justice, which sees the compulsory licensing mechanism as “a restriction on the exercise of the exclusive right of the right holder”. The Department of Justice states that these rights are a form of civil rights and may be “limited only on the basis of federal law and only to the extent necessary to protect the foundations of the constitutional order, morals, health, rights, and legitimate interests.” others to ensure the defense country and state security.
At the beginning of August, Deputy Chairman of the Duma Davankov discussed To the Cabinet for the possibility of considering a decision to introduce an experimental mechanism for compulsory licensing of films from non-friendly countries in August 2023. So a member of the New People party decided to give Russian viewers the opportunity to watch Barbie and Oppenheimer.
Davankov’s initiative was not supported by the Film and Television Producers Association (APKiT). In his letter to the head of the organization’s Ministry of Culture, Olga Lyubimova, it is said that the idea of compulsory licenses is against Russian law. The association noted, among other things, the positive aspect of the reduction in the distribution of foreign films.
“The need for import substitution inevitably stimulates the increase in the production of Russian films and TV series, which contributes to the development of domestic cinematography,” APKiT said.
Against the background of events in Ukraine, the largest big ones – Disney, Paramount, Warner Bros. Sony and Universal Pictures announced that they have refused to release their new films in Russia and have ceased their activities in the country. The films of these film studios also lost their Russian broadcasting sites. Until recently, the problem of “importing” Hollywood films was solved by parallel import, but the procedure does not have a clear legal framework. For example, films are not on the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s parallel import list because they “cannot be distributed in relation to audio-visual works because they are not goods according to the TN VED classification. EAEU.” Ministry registeredHe said that this issue should be handled by the Ministry of Culture.
What are the traditional values in Russia?
November 9, 2022 Russian President Vladimir Putin approved foundations of state policy “to preserve and strengthen traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.”
The document defines traditional values as follows: “These are the spiritual, historical and cultural values of the multinational people of Russia, which form the worldview of Russian citizens, which are transmitted from generation to generation, which form the basis of the civic identity of all Russia and the only cultural space of the country, strengthen civil unity, found its unique, original manifestation in its development.
Spiritual and moral values include:
— life, dignity, human rights and freedoms;
– patriotism, citizenship, service to the Fatherland and responsibility for its destiny;
– high moral ideals, a strong family, creative work;
– priority of spirituality over material, humanism, compassion, justice, collectivism, mutual aid and mutual respect;
– the historical memory and continuity of generations, the unity of the peoples of Russia.
In addition, the decree declares the United States and other “unfriendly countries” a threat to Russian values, and the promotion of unconventional sexual relations, as well as the promotion of selfishness and immorality, is classified as a subversive ideology.