KAZAKHSTAN
Since January 2007
Since May 2014
Since May 2014
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Sub-pillar Licensing restrictions to operate in the telecom market
Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Licensing" (Қазақстан Республикасының Заңы "Лицензиялау туралы")
Law No. 202 on Permissions and Notifications (Қазақстан Республикасының Заңы № 202-V ҚРЗ. Рұқсаттар және хабарламалар туралы)
Law No. 202 on Permissions and Notifications (Қазақстан Республикасының Заңы № 202-V ҚРЗ. Рұқсаттар және хабарламалар туралы)
Pursuant to the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Licensing" and the Law on Permissions and Notifications, the companies providing telecommunications services require an operating license from the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace. It is reported that all telecommunications operators are legally obliged, as part of the licensing requirement, to connect their channels to a public network controlled by KazakhTelecom.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230127153838/https://adilet.zan.kz/eng/docs/Z070000214_
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231202011124/http://adilet.zan.kz/eng/docs/Z1400000202
- https://web.archive.org/web/20181123132018/http://www.gratanet.com/up_files/Kazakhstan_GRATA_Law_firm_(The_Technology,_Media_and_Telecommunications_Review_edition_5).pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230605163604/https://adilet.zan.kz/eng/docs/Z1200000527
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KAZAKHSTAN
Since January 2012
Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade |
Sub-pillar Screening of investment and acquisitions
Law No. 527-IV on National Security of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Қазақстан Республикасының 2012 жылғы 6 қаңтардағы № 527-IV Заңы Қазақстан Республикасының ұлттық қауіпсіздігі туралы)
According to Art. 23.6.7 of the Law on National Security, it shall be prohibited that foreigners, stateless persons, and foreign legal entities to directly and (or) indirectly own, use, dispose of and (or) manage cumulatively in excess of 49% of the voting shares, as well as stakes, units of a legal entity engaged in telecommunications as a long-distance and (or) international telecommunications operator, possessing land (cable, including fibre optic, radio relay) communication lines with no positive decision of the Government of Kazakhstan based on the opinion of the authorised body regulating the field of communications, agreed with the national security agencies. It is reported that, in practice, foreign investors must obtain a government waiver for the acquisition of more than 49% of shares in a company providing telecommunication services.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
KAZAKHSTAN
Since February 2016
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Sub-pillar Signature of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Telecom Reference Paper
WTO Telecom Reference Paper
Kazakhstan has appended the World Trade Organization (WTO) Telecom Reference Paper to its schedule of commitments.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
Sources
- https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/FE_Search/FE_S_S009-DP.aspx?language=E&CatalogueIdList=226876&CurrentCatalogueIdIndex=0&FullTextHash=&HasEnglishRecord=True&HasFrenchRecord=True&HasSpanishRecord=True
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220119043046/https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/serv_e/telecom_e/telecom_highlights_commit_exempt_e.htm#country
KAZAKHSTAN
Since April 2004, last amended in December 2022
Since March 2015, as amended in July 2019, last amended September 2022
Since January 2015, last amended in October 2022
Since March 2015, as amended in July 2019, last amended September 2022
Since January 2015, last amended in October 2022
Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade |
Sub-pillar Commercial presence requirement for digital services providers
Law No. 544 on the Regulation of Trading Activities (Қазақстан Республикасының 2004 жылғы 12 сәуірдегі N 544 Заңы Сауда қызметін реттеу туралы)
Order No. 264 on the Approval of the Rules of Domestic Trade (№ 264 бұйрығы Ішкі сауда қағидаларын бекіту туралы)
Order No. 4 on the Approval of the Forms of Messages and the Principles of Receiving Messages by State Bodies, as well as on Determining the State Bodies That Carry Out the Reception of Messages ( бұйрығы № 4 Хабарламалар нысандарын және Мемлекеттік органдардың хабарламаларды қабылдау қағидаларын бекіту туралы, сондай-ақ хабарламаларды қабылдауды жүзеге асыратын мемлекеттік органдарды айқындау туралы)
Order No. 264 on the Approval of the Rules of Domestic Trade (№ 264 бұйрығы Ішкі сауда қағидаларын бекіту туралы)
Order No. 4 on the Approval of the Forms of Messages and the Principles of Receiving Messages by State Bodies, as well as on Determining the State Bodies That Carry Out the Reception of Messages ( бұйрығы № 4 Хабарламалар нысандарын және Мемлекеттік органдардың хабарламаларды қабылдау қағидаларын бекіту туралы, сондай-ақ хабарламаларды қабылдауды жүзеге асыратын мемлекеттік органдарды айқындау туралы)
In accordance with subparagraph 4-1 of Art. 7 of Law No. 544, the Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan ordered the approval of the Rules of Domestic Trade (Order No. 264). Arts. 105-1 and 106-1 of the Rules mandate e-commerce sellers to indicate their BIN (business identification number), address of business operations on the territory of Kazakhstan and mobile telephone number registered in Kazakhstan in order to operate in the country. Additional information on this requirement is found in Annex 3-10 of Order No. 4.
Coverage E-commerce sellers
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230306172845/https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/Z040000544_
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231209042313/https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V1500011148
- https://web.archive.org/web/20221202014757/https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V1500010194
- https://web.archive.org/web/20241211140854/https://sim.oecd.org/Simulator.ashx?lang=En&ds=DGSTRI&d1c=apf&d2c=kaz
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KAZAKHSTAN
N/A
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Sub-pillar Presence of an independent telecom authority
Lack of an independent telecom authority
Kazakhstan has a telecommunications authority: The Telecommunications Committee of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan. However, it is reported that this entity's decision-making process is not fully independent of the government.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
KAZAKHSTAN
Since July 1999
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Sub-pillar Practical or legal restrictions related to the application process for patents
Patent law of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Қазақстан Республикасының Патент Заңы)
According to Art. 38 of the Patent law of the Republic of Kazakhstan, foreign individuals, foreign legal entities and stateless persons residing in the Republic of Kazakhstan enjoy the same rights as Kazakhstani citizens. However, under Article 36.5 of the Patent Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan, natural persons residing outside the Republic of Kazakhstan or foreign legal entities shall exercise their rights as patent applicants and patentees, as well as the rights of interested persons in the authorised body and its organisations, through local patent attorneys. Pursuant to Art. 1 of the Law, patent agents are citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan who, in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, have the right to represent natural and legal persons before the authorised body and expert agency.
Coverage Horizontal
KAZAKHSTAN
Since November 2015, as amended in June 2020, last amended in December 2023
Since April 2005, until September 2010
Since April 2005, until September 2010
Pillar Cross-border data policies |
Sub-pillar Ban to transfer and local processing requirement
Law No. 418-V ZRK of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Informatization (Қазақстан Республикасының Ақпараттандыру туралы Заңы 2015 жылғы 24 қарашадағы № 418-V ҚРЗ)
Acting Chairman of the Republic of Kazakhstan Agency for Informatization and Communication Order No. 88-b of 5 April 2005 on the Approval of Regulations for the Allocation of Domain Space in the Kazakhstan Segment of the Internet (Қазақстан Республикасының Ақпараттандыру және байланыс жөніндегі агенттігі төрағасының 2005 жылғы 5 сәуірдегі N 88-б Бұйрығы Интернет желісінің қазақстандық сегментінің домендік кеңістігін бөлу ережесін бекіту туралы)
Acting Chairman of the Republic of Kazakhstan Agency for Informatization and Communication Order No. 88-b of 5 April 2005 on the Approval of Regulations for the Allocation of Domain Space in the Kazakhstan Segment of the Internet (Қазақстан Республикасының Ақпараттандыру және байланыс жөніндегі агенттігі төрағасының 2005 жылғы 5 сәуірдегі N 88-б Бұйрығы Интернет желісінің қазақстандық сегментінің домендік кеңістігін бөлу ережесін бекіту туралы)
Art. 56-1 of the Law on Informatization requires that internet resources with ".kz" and ".қaz" domains must be hosted on hardware and software complexes located in Kazakhstan. In other words, an internet resource (website, web application, web service) using a ".kz" or ".қaz" domain must be hosted on a server (owned/rented/cloud hosted/VDS hosted/virtually hosted) in a data centre (server/office) located in Kazakhstan. The server must also be connected to a Kazakh internet provider and use a (dedicated or shared) Kazakhstan IP address.
A similar requirement has been in place since 2005, as established in Clauses 7 and 8 of the Regulations for the Allocation of Domain Space in the Kazakhstan Segment of the Internet. These clauses provided that an application for domain name registration may be refused or registration may be cancelled if the domain servers were not located inside Kazakhstan.
A similar requirement has been in place since 2005, as established in Clauses 7 and 8 of the Regulations for the Allocation of Domain Space in the Kazakhstan Segment of the Internet. These clauses provided that an application for domain name registration may be refused or registration may be cancelled if the domain servers were not located inside Kazakhstan.
Coverage Internet resources with .kz and .қaz domain
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240222031332/https://adilet.zan.kz/eng/docs/Z1500000418
- https://web.archive.org/web/20241211135852/https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/a/5/16759.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240527155149/https://adilet.zan.kz/kaz/docs/V050003652_#z0
- https://web.archive.org/web/20210211021655/https://www.dentons.com/en/insights/alerts/2021/february/1/what-internet-resources-can-be-blocked-in-kazakhstan-starting-from-february-1-2021#footnote1
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KAZAKHSTAN
Since December 1991
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Sub-pillar Participation in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Patent Cooperation Treaty
Kazakhstan is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Coverage Horizontal
KAZAKHSTAN
Since March 2010, as amended in April 2018, until July 2023
Pillar Cross-border data policies |
Sub-pillar Ban to transfer and local processing requirement
Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 246 on Approval of the Rules for Communication Operators to Collect and Store Service Information about Subscribers (Қазақстан Республикасы Үкіметінің 2010 жылғы 30 наурыздағы № 246 Қаулысы Байланыс операторларының абоненттер туралы қызметтік ақпаратты жинау мен сақтауды жүзеге асыру қағидаларын бекіту туралы)
Paragraph 6-1 of Resolution No. 246 prohibited the storage of telecommunication subscriber information outside the country. The Resolution was repealed in July 2023.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240623182912/https://adilet.zan.kz/eng/docs/P100000246_
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240721/https://itif.org/publications/2021/07/19/how-barriers-cross-border-data-flows-are-spreading-globally-what-they-cost/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20200226145536/https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/P1800000229#z34
- https://web.archive.org/web/20241112163835/https://adilet.zan.kz/kaz/docs/P2300000559
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KAZAKHSTAN
Since June 1996, last amended in June 2018
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Sub-pillar Copyright law with clear exceptions
Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 6-I of 10 June 1996, on Copyright and Related Rights (Қазақстан Республикасының 1996 жылғы 10 маусымдағы N 6-I Заңы Авторлық құқық және сабақтас құқықтар туралы)
Kazakhstan has a copyright regime under Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 6-I of June 10, 1996, on Copyright and Related Rights. However, the exceptions do not follow the fair use or fair dealing model, therefore limiting the lawful use of copyrighted work by others. Arts. 18-27 list the exceptions, which include the quotation, in the original language or in translation, for scientific or for research, polemic, critical or informational purposes and to the extent justified by the intended purpose; the reproduction, broadcasting or communication to the public by cable of architectural works, photographic works or works of fine art permanently located in public; among others.
Coverage Horizontal
KAZAKHSTAN
Reported in 2018, last reported in 2023
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Sub-pillar Enforcement of copyright online
Lack of adequate enforcement of copyright online
Copyright is not adequately enforced on the Internet in Kazakhstan. It is reported that foreign companies complain about inadequate IPR protection and that there is a high level of pirated software used in the country. Judges, customs officials and police officers lack IPR expertise, exacerbating weak IPR enforcement. In addition, online piracy is reported to remain a concern, particularly through piracy devices and applications, illegal recording, and the use of unlicensed software.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231206061701/https://gss.bsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2018_BSA_GSS_InBrief_US.pdf
- https://kaztag.kz/en/news/level-of-piracy-in-software-field-makes-74-in-kazakhstan
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231216205632/https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-investment-climate-statements/Kazakhstan/
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KAZAKHSTAN
Since February 1997, entry into force in November 2004
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Sub-pillar Adoption of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty
WIPO Copyright Treaty
Kazakhstan has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal
KAZAKHSTAN
Since February 1997, entry into force in November 2004
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Sub-pillar Adoption of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonogram Treaty
WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty
Kazakhstan has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal
KAZAKHSTAN
Since November 2015, last amended in December 2023
Since March 2018
Since March 2018
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Sub-pillar Mandatory disclosure of business trade secrets such as algorithms or source code
Law No. 418-V ZRK of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Informatization (Қазақстан Республикасының Ақпараттандыру туралы Заңы 2015 жылғы 24 қарашадағы № 418-V ҚРЗ)
Order No. 53/НК of the Minister of Defence and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the Approval of the Rules for the Formation and Maintenance of a Register of Trusted Software and Electronics Industry Products, as well as Criteria for Including Software and Electronics Industry Products in the Register of Trusted Software and Electronics Industry Products (Приказ Министра оборонной и аэрокосмической промышленности Республики Казахстан от 28 марта 2018 года № 53/НҚ Об утверждении Правил формирования и ведения реестра доверенного программного обеспечения и продукции электронной промышленности, а также критериев по включению программного обеспечения и продукции электронной промышленности в реестр доверенного программного обеспечения и продукции электронной промышленности)
Order No. 53/НК of the Minister of Defence and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the Approval of the Rules for the Formation and Maintenance of a Register of Trusted Software and Electronics Industry Products, as well as Criteria for Including Software and Electronics Industry Products in the Register of Trusted Software and Electronics Industry Products (Приказ Министра оборонной и аэрокосмической промышленности Республики Казахстан от 28 марта 2018 года № 53/НҚ Об утверждении Правил формирования и ведения реестра доверенного программного обеспечения и продукции электронной промышленности, а также критериев по включению программного обеспечения и продукции электронной промышленности в реестр доверенного программного обеспечения и продукции электронной промышленности)
According to Art. 7.6 of the Informatization Law, the central executive body carrying out state regulation in the field of electronic industry is tasked with establishing a unified register of trusted software and electronic products. According to Art. 54.3.1, for the purposes of state security, only approved software may be used for public procurement and for critical information and communication infrastructure, whether state-owned or private, including telecommunication infrastructure. To become part of the register, the software applicant must transfer (i) source program codes for accounting and storage; (ii) source program codes (if any) and; (iii) a set of configurations for the licensed software of "e-government" information technology objects, as stated paragraphs 10, 11, 12 and 13 of the Order of the Minister of defence and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 53/НК (Rules for the formation and maintenance of a register of trusted products of the electronics and software industry, as well as the criteria for including products of the electronics industry and trusted software in the register of trusted products of the electronics and software industry). In addition, it is reported that the local content for this software must not be less than 70%.
Coverage Software
Sources
KAZAKHSTAN
Since December 1994, entry into force in March 1995, last amended in January 2016
Since October 2015, entry into force in January 2016
Since October 2015, entry into force in January 2016
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Sub-pillar Effective protection covering trade secrets
Civil Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Қазақстан Республикасының Азаматтық Кодексi)
Enterprise Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Қазақстан Республикасының Кәсіпкерлік Кодексі)
Enterprise Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Қазақстан Республикасының Кәсіпкерлік Кодексі)
The Civil Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Enterprise Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan provide a framework for the effective protection of trade secrets. According to Art. 126.1 and 1017.1 of the Civil Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a trade secret comprises valuable information, including secrets of production (know-how), production technology, management model, as well as ways and methods of increasing profits. In addition, according to Art. 28 of the Enterprise Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, among other provisions, the protection of trade secrets consists of prohibiting the unlawful receipt, distribution or use of information constituting a trade secret in accordance with this Code and the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This regulatory framework includes remedies and penalties for the disclosure of trade secrets.
Coverage Horizontal