Russians agree with US to shut down AllofMP3.com

1 December 2006 10:22 GMT / By Amber Maitland

The US has almost succeeded in its campaign to get Russian music downloading site AllofMP3.com to shut down.

The site was named as an examples of the obstacles that prevent Russia from joining the World Trade Organization. However, it seems that Russia has now agreed to take action against sites that breach copyright.

In an agreement signed by Susan Schwab, the US Trade Representative, and German Gref, the Russian Minister of Trade and Economic Development, Russia promises to take action against Russian server-hosted websites that illegally distribute copyrighted music and other media.

In part, the summary of the document that has just been signed reads: “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 Russian-based AllofMP3.com as an example of such a website.”

However, AllofMP3.com claims that it's a legitimate site because it pays royalties to the Russian Multimedia and Internet Society (Roms), which is not recognised by authorities outside of the country.

A spokesman for AllofMP3.com's parent company told the BBC, “The company is fully committed to its business and will alter its business model to fit within the new legal framework, whenever it is ultimately set”.

AllofMP3.com is still up and running today.

Full tags

Audio, Online, Music downloads, allofmp3