> My impression was previously that Russia was somewhat of a wild west when it came to piracy and internet restrictions.
Your impression was absolutely wrong. Before war, Microsoft and other big western companies along with police hunted companies which tried to use pirate software. So it was not a good idea to use pirate software for company in Russia, at least if you're big enough to be noticed. Ordinary people were kind of ignored, AFAIK.
Both Internet restrictions and surveillance also were present in Russia in the recent years. Officially to protect children, unofficially to suppress opposition as well.
> Your impression was absolutely wrong. Before war, Microsoft and other big western companies along with police hunted companies which tried to use pirate software. So it was not a good idea to use pirate software for company in Russia, at least if you're big enough to be noticed. Ordinary people were kind of ignored, AFAIK
Didn't they say somewhere that in response to the sanctions imposed early in the war they were going to go lenient on piracy? I wonder if that promise ever amounted to anything, or if it was just empty words.
I'm not aware of any real steps about that. Probably empty words.
There are enough software makers in Russia, so allowing piracy would just make their life harder. Like why would you want to buy КОМПАС-3D for some hefty price if you can pirate Autocad for free.
Since enforcement was at the behest of the behemoths, I dare say they stopped. No need to try to make Microsoft and Disney willing to do business in Russia if they’re banned from doing so.
Your impression was absolutely wrong. Before war, Microsoft and other big western companies along with police hunted companies which tried to use pirate software. So it was not a good idea to use pirate software for company in Russia, at least if you're big enough to be noticed. Ordinary people were kind of ignored, AFAIK.
Both Internet restrictions and surveillance also were present in Russia in the recent years. Officially to protect children, unofficially to suppress opposition as well.