CDs From the Russian Federation

[Brownian Motion]

I recently bought a CD from an Ebay seller located in Moscow. The CD is OOP in the US; Amazon has it listed as an import but has no copies available, new or used.

While the notes and titles are in English, there is some cyrillic writing on the tray card, and the jewel box feels a bit flimsier than usual. Sound seems okay.

Should I automatically assume this is a bootleg, or could it be a legally licensed issue? Or is there no way of knowing without more information?

[John L]

Is it a Western label? If so, a legit CD should have a special stamp of authenticity, together with a clause "for sale only in the Russian Federation."

On the other hand, Russian pirates can duplicate the stamp and clause without much problem. There is a good chance that it is not legit.

[Д.Д.]

A bootleg.