Proposals to prohibit royalty payments for copyright and related rights to foreign representatives have sparked discussion about redirecting the funds instead toward supporting private initiatives. This position was highlighted by Nikolai Burlyaev, a People’s Artist of Russia and First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee for the Development of Civil Society, Issues of Public and Religious Associations. He emphasized that such a measure would need thorough examination because it could affect audiences and listeners who rely on diverse sources of cultural content.
Burlyaev noted that if bans on royalties to foreign agents were enacted, it would make sense to channel the money from creators who have left the country into constructive support for regional military and social programs. He stressed, however, that it is premature to finalize the rules governing the withdrawal of copyrights or to commit to this option. He indicated that the matter would be considered within the State Duma in due course.
The idea to restrict payments to foreign representatives was brought forward by Vyacheslav Volodin, the Chairman of the State Duma. Vasily Piskarev, who chairs the State Duma Committee on Security and Anti-Corruption, indicated that parliament intends to discuss the proposal. He recalled reports that some foreign agents who relocated abroad used their earnings to back activities linked to the Armed Forces and to support anti-Russian initiatives.
There was also a note that the State Duma previously discussed a broader approach aimed at limiting the presence of foreign agents on social networks by introducing restrictions. The discussion reflects ongoing concerns about how financial flows tied to cultural and information activities could influence national interests and public perception.