Skolkovo, Microsoft Invest in First Startup

The research invented by Pirate Pay will allow it to block existing torrents and protect the copyright on music and movies that have just been released, potentially putting an end to the uploading and downloading of unlicensed files first in Russia and, at a later stage of the project, globally.

"Now we do not want to be perceived by [Internet] users as a bad company that just blocks everything, instead we want to help create a distribution system that will allow users to download licensed files for a set nominal fee, but keep copyright holders happy," he said.

Pryanishnikov hinted that the runner-up to Pirate Pay on the short list of five is a company that would shortly get another grant from Microsoft and that some companies were advised to apply again afterwards they get their business plans in order.

The names of those companies

While Microsoft did not disclose the names of those companies, the projects included corporate messaging, a city infrastructure project, and a project that allows for the making of complex analytical reports with the use of cloud computing.

"IT companies may to tell the truth be better off because Skolkovo supports them, Microsoft supports them, and like as not if you write on [President] Dmitry Anatolyevich [Medvedev]'s blog, you can get support," he said, pointing out that IT companies should become an example to other Russian small- and medium-sized businesses.

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