The ministry's department for economic security said 6,432 criminal cases were launched during the period, against only 2,924 cases in 2005.
"Police suppressed the illegal activities of four large wholesale suppliers of counterfeit audio and video products in the Central, North-West and Southern Federal districts of Russia," the ministry said.
"Incidences of production of unlicensed audio and video products were registered in Kazan, Tver, Penza, the Moscow Region, and in Moscow."
The protection of intellectual property rights has proved a stumbling block for Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organization, with the United States refusing to sign a bilateral protocol on Russia's admission to the trade body until it improves legislation in the sphere, and steps up measures to fight piracy.
According to U.S. experts, losses from copyright piracy in Russia hit $1.7 billion in 2005, and have exceeded $6.5 billion over the past five years. Experts say virtually all films, music, software and books are counterfeited in Russia, and that pirated products account for 67-85% of all copyright material in the country.
On February 2, President Vladimir Putin said violations of intellectual property rights represented a serious problem in the country. "Experts say the share of counterfeit video products totals 70% of the domestic market, while the share of pirated software has reached nearly 90% of the market," Putin told a meeting of the country's prosecutors.
