On 24 May, 2016, an amendment act on criminal liability of legal entities became effective; it brings about a novel understanding of the whole concept in the fact that firms will be possible to be prosecuted for all criminal acts except for those that are specifically excluded. This practice is contrary to the previous one.
The change also affects punishability for slander, which was fiercely criticised during the process of approval by e.g. the Union of Publishers and the Association for the Internet Development; the motion, however, was adopted.
Compared with the previous provisions, the range of criminal offences which companies may be punished for significantly broadened; on the other hand, the new regulation brings about new possibilities of acquittal in cases in which the accused firm can prove they have made every effort that could be justly demanded to avoid committal of the offence.
