Russian legislation aimed at battling pirated online video went into effect despite complaints by the industry against the alleged crackdown on free Internet. Branded the “Russian SOPA” after the US anti-piracy initiative, the law makes it easier to block websites that post or link to copyright video content without permission. Companies in the industry have lambasted the law, saying the measure makes it possible for anyone to block any website with ease and alleging it was put together without taking any suggestions from experts into account.