Comparison of legal regulation of databases, distributed ledgers, and blockchain technology in the Russian legislation

Abstract

The paper analyzes the specific nature of high-tech systems in IT area in terms of the transition to the digital economy (Digital Economy of the Russian Federation program). The research identifies the characteristics of legal regulation of databases, distributed ledgers, and blockchain technology. The author determines that the legal regime of databases is admissible with regard to the above-mentioned systems. The study reveals the aspects of special sectoral laws and regulations applied to databases in order to introduce distributed ledgers and blockchain technology. The research considers the dual nature of database laws governing blockchain technology in different ways. The author concludes that laws and regulations concerning databases can be implemented to introduce distributed ledgers and blockchain technology considering their specific legal nature for particular legal relations.