Lawmakers in the Republic of Moldova approved new administrative sanctions for the use and commercialization of devices that allow illegal access to services protected by copyright. Fifty-three MPs adopted amendments to the Contravention Code in the second reading.
The legislative initiative aims to prevent and combat illegal acts in the field of electronic communications networks and services. It also transposes into national legislation the Directive of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union on the legal protection of services based on, or consisting of, conditional access.
According to the document, an illicit device is any equipment or software designed or adapted to allow access to a protected service without the provider’s authorization.
Authorities will sanction the manufacture, import, distribution, sale, rental or possession for commercial purposes of such devices with a fine of up to 4,500 lei for private individuals and up to 6,000 lei for persons holding positions of responsibility. In the case of legal entities, fines may reach up to 15,000 lei, and authorities may also apply a sanction depriving the offender of the right to carry out a certain activity for a period from six months to one year.
At the same time, authorities will sanction the installation, maintenance or replacement of an illicit device for commercial purposes with a fine of up to 1,500 lei for private individuals, up to 9,000 lei for persons holding positions of responsibility and up to 12,000 lei for legal entities.
The document also introduces sanctions for the use of commercial communications to promote illicit devices. The legislative amendments will enter into force on March 13, 2027.