Top MP3 Download Site Allofmp3 Shut Down by Russian Government in Hopes of Winning WTO Membership for Russia

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Allofmp3.com, one of the top mp3 download sites in the world for people looking for mp3 mp3 downloads, allowing people do to an mp3 search of the works of thousands of popular artists, and then download the mp3s for as little as ten cents, has been closed down by the Russian government in a bid to gain membership in the World Trade Organization. Allofmp3.com was considered a barrier to entry for Russia, with what has been estimated to be the world’s largest collection of pirated music, all available as low cost and even nearly free mp3 downloads to Allofmp3’s 5.5 million customers.

However, as soon as Allofmp3.com was shut down, a new site – mp3Sparks.com – opened, run by the same company as had run Allofmp3, and looking nearly identical to Allofmp3.com.

What this means for Russia’s bid for WTO membership, we don’t know. But we do know what it means for the musical artists whose songs are available, illegally, through the site. Downloading pirated music – music that one should otherwise pay for – truly does take money out of the artist’s pocket. [For an explanation of how that works, read our article here.]

Now, there are plenty of sites that legitimately offer low cost or even free mp3 downloads. But Allofmp3.com and now mp3Sparks.com aren’t among them.

Typically, the sites that offer free mp3 music downloads are sites carrying works of new and upcoming independent artists. Some good examples of such free mp3 music download sites include the Peoplesound free mp3 downloads site for emerging artists, and the ArtistDirect free mp3 music download area.

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A good rule of thumb is that if a site is offering mega-star music mp3s for a price far below the standard price of 79 to 99 cents per mp3, then there is a good chance that it’s illegal, pirated music.

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2 thoughts on “Top MP3 Download Site Allofmp3 Shut Down by Russian Government in Hopes of Winning WTO Membership for Russia

  1. I am just perplexed by this entire thing. I say that the real problem is that large mp3 sites are not under the control of major labels. There answer is to sue and drive down sites and even have artists complaining but often online you can find interesting remixes ( some even better than the original ) and the more people get used to the Idea of downloading it really can generate money for the Labels tax revenue and more.

    The thing is many great songs and videos and Ideas have been launched by the internet. Youtube owned by Google has more copyrighted matterial on it than any website and serves 50 Million views a day. They Generate traffic and ad revenue from it also. Change is scary for government and corporations.

  2. Rubbish, more US propaganda. If you had done any research you’d know that is not pirated music. While the legalities are “grey” it is not illegal and no legal actions have been successfully brought against allofmp3. They pay royalties on behalf of the copyright holders, the same as a radio station and other broadcasters. However the record companies have pressured the copyright holders into refusing to accept the royalties.
    However, new laws will come into place in Russia on 1 January 2008 whereby there will only be one state sanctioned organisation to collect royalties and issue licences – and it will still be a different model to the USA. Then if allofmp3 obtains a licence it will be 100% legal, if not then it will be 100% illegal.
    Also note that music prior to, I think 1979, before Russia signed the Geneva convention on IP copyright, is public domain and free of any royalty.
    Has anyone wondered why, in the same week that the record industry closed down allofmp3, Warner Music and Sony announced that in conjunction with Russian billionaire Len Blavatnic they would establish a digital music venture in Russia. Why not the USA? Well then they can charge the consumer more, pay the same royalty as allofmp3 and pocket the difference.

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