Russia’s State Duma has adopted a controversial draft law on online services in its first reading.
According to ComNews, the second reading will eliminate all language errors, with the final draft being produced by industry representatives, including Russian Association of Electronic Communications (RAEC), in a specially organised group.
The group will have 30 days to produce the draft, before the second reading. As previously reported in Broadband TV News, the proposed law will limit the level of foreign ownership permitted in such services to 20%.
It is strongly opposed by such leading OTT players as Ivi, Okko and Megogo.
In their view, the legislation will do nothing to protect Russian companies such as themselves and limit their prospects to develop.