ABSTRACT
The Russian language net, popularly called Runet because its addresses typically end ‘.ru’, underwent massive expansion in 2000. Only in the following year did legislation giving protection for intellectual property rights and providing the framework for e-commerce catch up with this boom. The web also occupies a role in the political life of Russia. Vladimir Putin had a sophisticated campaign website during his presidential campaign. Sites were also used in the Duma elections to wage negative campaigns against rivals, notably ex-Prime Minister Primakov and Moscow Mayor Luzhkov. The Russian Government has a regularly updated official web page at www.pravitelstvo.gov.ru. There are also a number of news sites including: strana.ru; vesti.ru; smi.ru; gazeta.ru and lenta.ru.
