ALLOFMP3 going the way of the dodo bird

Submitted by Patrick Grote on Wed, 11/29/2006 - 5:00am.

ALLOFMP3 is the Russian music site that sells clean MP3 files. This means they are unencumbered with DRM, which is an important point considering that the only popular music you can buy online comes with DRM.

This has, of course, ticked off the RIAA. Since Russia wants to get into the World Trade Organization the RIAA has pushed the United States to put pressure on Russia to eliminate ALLOFMP3.

It appears this has worked.

In an agreement between the United States and Russia, the Russians have agreed to:

The United States and Russia agreed on the objective of shutting down websites that permit
illegal distribution of music and other copyright works. The agreement names the Russia-based
website allofmp3.com as an example of such a website.
• Russia will:
- take enforcement actions against the operation of Russia-based websites; and
- investigate and prosecute companies that illegally distribute copyright works on the Internet.
• Russia will work to enact legislation by June 1, 2007, to stop collecting societies from acting
without right holder consent,
• Russia will also work to enact legislation implementing the 1996 World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO) Internet treaties.

Nice. Congratulations to the RIAA for forcing the government to do something in their interests.

And congratulations to the Federal government for forcing Russia to do something so important. Never mind the arms sales to Iran or any of the other myriad of issues that are more important than Britney Spears getting her 3 cents from a download.