RIAA Finally Succeeds In Having US Pressure Russia Into Shutting Down Allofmp3

from the this-will-backfire dept

Tue, Nov 28th 2006 2:31pm — Mike Masnick

For many months, US government officials have been doing the RIAA's dirty work by threatening to block Russia's admission into the WTO if it didn't shut down Allofmp3.com -- the Russian online music store that sells inexpensive songs, unencumbered by copy protection. Allofmp3 has noted that Russia's admission to the WTO of no concern to them at all, while repeating their stance that they comply with all Russian laws, and that the recording industry won't take the money they've tried to give it. While the US has put enough pressure on US credit card companies to pull the plug on using credit cards on Allofmp3, the site has continued to fight it out.

However, over at Digg, someone is pointing to a letter from the US Trade Representative (warning: pdf file) that highlights agreements made between Russia and the US, including that Russia will move to shut down Allofmp3.com and sites like it. Russia has also agreed to put in place new laws within the next month that will make it so sites like Allofmp3 no longer can get rights to resell content from local collections agencies (the loophole through which the site was legal). Of course, this seems a little backwards. Shouldn't they change the law first? Then Allofmp3 will have to comply or be shut down. It's amusing (if sad) to see the agreement include the promise to shut down Allofmp3 before even the laws are changed.

It will be interesting to see what comes of this. It certainly is getting a lot more difficult for Allofmp3 to stay in business, but hopefully someone, somewhere is realizing that Allofmp3's business model represents a much bigger opportunity than a threat, seeing that people really will pay for music without copy protection, and they'll buy an awful lot if the prices are much cheaper than they are now. Of course, it's also possible that Allofmp3 (or some others) may realize that the trick is to just move out of Russia to a country that won't succumb to the RIAA in the form of US government officials. We've heard Antigua might be interested -- and they might do it with the support of the WTO, which takes that arrow out of the sling. The key point, however, is that each of these sites that the industry shuts down hasn't done much to actually deal with the changing market the industry is facing. If anything, it's often emboldened those who are championing free or cheap music offerings.

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25 Comments

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anonymous coward, 28 Nov 2006 @ 3:03pm

the RIAA can keep up its strongarm tactics til hell freezes over. i'll be using the next version of allofmp3 which will be live from somewhere the day after the russian website is shut down.
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Reality Check, 28 Nov 2006 @ 3:23pm

I understand that TechDirt's stance is to report on "tech dirt", but this story is completely misleading.

Please, TechDirt, don't lead your readers to believe that the reason Russia has been kept out of the WTO for over 12 years is because of the RIAA.

Many, many more things have contributed that you fail to mention because they have no technological reference. Those are the REAL reasons.
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Mike (profile), 28 Nov 2006 @ 3:31pm

Re:
Please, TechDirt, don't lead your readers to believe that the reason Russia has been kept out of the WTO for over 12 years is because of the RIAA.

I don't think we said anywhere that this was the sole reason. That's clearly not true. I'm sorry if yo uthink we implied that, but we did not. However, it was a clear checkmark on the list of things they needed to do go get in.
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Rick, 28 Nov 2006 @ 3:48pm

Antigua will be happy to LEGALLY host their site in retaliation for the US's flatant disregard for the WTO in matters of online gambling.
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Ryan, 28 Nov 2006 @ 4:05pm

the solution
it's simple.. software is moving to the web, so should music.

Ban all tapes and cds. make them illegal (only terrorists use them) and then make all music pay per listen. I can have an internet radio that i pay $1 per song I listen to.. but it has everything.

Sadly... then the RIAA would complain about 3 people listening at a time or something..
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Angry Rivethead, 28 Nov 2006 @ 4:52pm

Business model
I've posted before about how much I love allofmp3.com's business model and its kinda sad to see it being shut down I wish a companay legally holding the rights to songs pick up the torch. Emusic is a start but it requires a subscription (BOOOOO subscriptions). iTune's and Zune's models suck since $0.99 is TOO MUCH for songs on sheer principle...i.e. paying the same price for less value (No physical CD, no artwork etc AND Beaucoup DRM)...AND on the business principle...it costs MUCH less to distribute songs electronically, therefore the savings should be relayed to the customer OR artists paid more. Apparently those in the music publishing business know nothing of modern value added practices and those in the music creation business, know little of business, otherwise they'd sell their stuff directly and skip the label.
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Cleverboy, 28 Nov 2006 @ 5:15pm

TechDirt, Short Memory...
The thing that bothers me, is that its implied that because a company is saying the right noises, that what they're saying jibes with what we have been told already.
1. ROMs has been kicked out of CISAC for not paying artists appropriately.
2. AllOfMp3.com had until September 1st to comply with the new Russian law amendments about paying rights holders what they demand to be paid. They even said they were raising prices to "get there". This amendment was delayed 2 years so that companies like AllOfMp3.com could "catch up". Whoops.
3. Despite notices on their own website about this law, they have instead pretended that "lip service" will be a fair and equitable alternative to paying the artists.
I think it is out of sheer bias that sites like this systematically ignore the facts on issues like this. I'm an informed reader. Maybe I'm out of line for expecting news blogs to have a certain standard for accuracy and context, but it still concerns me.
Just yesterday, I noticed how a hip hop website, reporting on the recent shooting of a groom in New York reported on the story, failing to note the police offer had identified himself before the groom rammed him with his car. As a friend related more information to me, I looked back at the news site and shook my head at all the misinformation it was spreading.
>> "Shouldn't they change the law first?"
This just insults the intelligence of everyone reading the blog. Where have you been??? They ALREADY changed the law. I'd hot link most of this post to all the references, but I'm sure it would be a waste of time. It hurts my head that people choose to willfully ignore the facts in favor of political agenda. I guess it happens on both sides, and the public is the one left poorer for it.
- See item #4.
  http://allofmp3.com/statement.shtml
- CISAC Press Release: "The General Assembly of CISAC decided at its meeting in Seoul on October 2004 to expel Russian organization ROMS from CISAC membership on the grounds that it has been issuing licenses to copyright users without the authority to do so from all relevant copyright owners. CISAC concluded that such actions contravened internationally accepted collective administration principles, to the detriment of the creative community represented by CISAC."
  http://www.cisac.org/web/Content.nsf/Popup?ReadForm&Page=Article&Lang=EN&Alias= Web-2005-03-ROMS
- From ROMs: "According to Section 2 of Clause 47 of the Law of Russian Federation on Copyright and Related Rights, any owner of copyright or related rights, including those who have not concluded an agreement with ROMS, has the right to demand due compensation according to the distribution performed by ROMS."
  http://www.museekster.com/files/press-release%20ROMS.doc
- TechDirt thread where I originally pointed all this out in detail:
  http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061006/124334.shtml
>> If anything, it's often emboldened those who are championing free or cheap music offerings.
Is that what AllOfMp3.com is? A champion of "free music" / "cheap music"? And terrorists are really "freedom fighters"? Maybe we should all take to the streets and if we see someone selling something, grab it, copy it, and offer it to everyone for free. 2 extra points if you bust them in the face once or twice before you make off. Let's all be "champions".

--I'm all for pushing freedom, advancement, etc... but when legitimate services like eMusic are compared to illegitimate services that can't bother with proper English in their names, I think we're all screwed if we're sipping that kool-aid.

Babies and bath water, people. Babies and bath water. This is sad.
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Anonymous Coward, 28 Nov 2006 @ 5:29pm

Prices be damned. Im only interested in the lack of DRM and the bitrates.
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Cleverboy, 28 Nov 2006 @ 5:37pm

Re:
>> "Im only interested in the lack of DRM and the bitrates."
Something AOM is seemingly less interested in as of late. Also, I'm sure you mean the holy "trinity" not "duo". "DRM-Free, Bit Rate, Selection". The holy grail award goes to he who first "gets" DiBS.
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joker, 28 Nov 2006 @ 5:51pm

piratebay.org is down too
i just checked the site and its up and well, kinda like the piratebay story

what would be interesting news would be actual court cases and their conclusions, but there are also few of those, that have conclusions anyway, download music for free, pay to see the artist live, even if you dont go
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jazzmyn, 28 Nov 2006 @ 5:58pm

Sorry that Russia Gave In
I was very proud of the Russian government for standing up to the U.S. govt when it came to AllofMP3. Now I am very disappointed that they too have caved. Yes I am an American, but I think that my country needs to butt out when it comes to interfering in the decisions of another country's government.
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Brandon, 28 Nov 2006 @ 6:10pm

its sad to see that there isnt much to do agaisnt riaa...
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Cartman, 28 Nov 2006 @ 6:45pm

I'm going to go down to the RIAA and KICK THEM IN THE NUTS!!!!!!!!!
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Brad, 28 Nov 2006 @ 6:47pm

Zune?
The Zune store has a subscription option as well. $15/mo for all you can download.
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Radio one, 28 Nov 2006 @ 7:27pm

i remember when radio on was in international waters...and broad casted to mainlands .. in international waters ...maybe a old oil rig and set up your servers there and no rules apply to such bullshit as the RIAA
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Count Porkula, 28 Nov 2006 @ 8:00pm

Re:
I don't know if I'd say "prices be damned" but I certainly agree w/ you on the lack of DRM and bitrate issues. Just give me my damn music for $1/mp3 file at 320 kbps and NO DRM. I'll stick with P2P until that day comes.
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Anonymous Coward, 28 Nov 2006 @ 8:01pm

I love how those who sold us globalization (ie, corporations wanting to expand their markets) are now whining about having to compete in the global market. You can't have it both ways.
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Anonymous Coward, 28 Nov 2006 @ 10:19pm

Re: Re:
Honestly, $1/mp3 is too much. In fact, buying any mp3 for the same cost as the CD is too much. If they sold downloadable loss-less versions without DRM, then I might be willing to pay close to CD prices. Then I could recode and use the tunes any way I please; time shifting, place shirfting, device shifting, etc. Exactly how it should be.

For now, as long as any money goes to the RIAA, I refuse to pay anything; p2p is my source. Free, high quality and no DRM. I'll support bands by going to shows and buying merch. And 9 times out of 10 I'll be at shows for local bands anyway, mainstream sucks!

I also don't really see why artists aren't selling their music directly. Skip the "industry" and sell it all yourself. It's easy enough, and I'm sure you can find all kinds of fans willing to help organize shows and tours.
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Sanguine Dream, 29 Nov 2006 @ 5:26am

I suspect...

I also don't really see why artists aren't selling their music directly. Skip the "industry" and sell it all yourself. It's easy enough, and I'm sure you can find all kinds of fans willing to help organize shows and tours.

This is one reason why indie music is catching on these days. Artists don't want to be bogged down by some record exec that does nothing but take the lion's share of profit from the band's hard work. That and it's now "hip", "cool", and what's that other word...yeah "noncomformist" to not go mainstream. And as for existing artists this would explain why so many of them (especially in the rap/hip hop arena) are trying to start their own labels. And I suspect that some of them are kinda trapped with the big labels be it by contracts (that give sole ownership of damn near everything to the label, in some cases even your stage name) and not having the money (partly because contracts that give the lion's share to some exec) or know-how to break away and start there own.
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Gherkin, 29 Nov 2006 @ 10:28am

Count Porkula
Now Patrick...who's going to bail you out of jail when the RIAA comes knocking on your door?
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Stephen, 29 Nov 2006 @ 10:59am

Brad are you serious? What happens in 3-4 yr when your Zune music becomes unavailable, because MS now has the Zuwee and it's now the flagship. Download all you want, you'll still have to do it again. MS+Zune is worse than Apple+iPod.
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Anonymous Coward, 1 Dec 2006 @ 10:10am

Re:
i remember when radio on was in international waters...and broad casted to mainlands .. in international waters ...
I also remember the U.S. military being sent out to shut down radio stations in international waters.

maybe a old oil rig and set up your servers there and no rules apply to such bullshit as the RIAA
Sounds like a real good way to wind up in Guantanamo Bay these days.
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junkie, 21 Jun 2007 @ 5:59am

another gem
hi everyone.

just wanted to say that there's seems to be another one alternative: http://mp3skyline.com

i've surfed only house music and i must say: the DO have a lot. it stated that there's two millions tracks online. well. i guess it is true.
their search is outrageous - i found some rare stuff that is abscent elsewhere.

comeon check it out and let me know if you like it (just like i do) or hate it, lol!

cheers
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Ordo, 17 Nov 2008 @ 9:38am

best site with 3 100 000 mp3
I found another site with more than 3 100 000 mp3 tracks.
I think this is the best site in network. http://mp3xclusive.com

Enjoy.
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Blue Marry, 18 May 2009 @ 5:58am

Is it really so?
The Musics in internet plenty of. Download possible from everywhere and much often gratis. This becomes the persisting epidemic. Support the loved performers, buy on official site only. For instance a big choice of the music, daily renewing, contests, prizes and other joys.
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