allofmp3 is always a cool place to find new music and music I can't get in the states.

and allofmp3 has an interesting model. pay via quality instead of tracks. I can't see how Russia's government would turn down money coming into the country. Isn't that what allofmp3 is doing. I assume the third party billing dept they have, gives royalties to the govt in some way.

lol piracy is rampant and widespread in countries that, by comparison, fight it. Do they actually think it'll make a difference? Good luck...

I knew it, the RIAA is going to start World War III.

Yeah tell Russians what to do. That'll work :|

Only Russia and France have the balls to stand up to an American monopoly often referred as the RIAA. Most of the music produced today is not even American. Thus, to refer to the music industry as an asset to American industry, is a flight of fancy . Music belongs to the world . Moreover , China will soon realize how profitable this asset really is. Thus you foolish Americans can look forward to pirated music at your favorite WalMart store.

"Only Russia and France have the balls"

Er....Canada?

"Thus you foolish Americans..."

Yeah, insult people. That always works.

not this amercian... i still wouldn't pay a dime for it. :)

Maybe the RIAA shud pressurize the US senate to cut off the internet to the rest of the World. this wud be a simple solution. then no more laws will be required. i just hope RUSSIA rebuts this ruling.

"We must not enter into political arrangements with countries ill-prepared to adequately protect our greatest economic assets," Bainwol added.

If I was an American, I'd be personally offended if Micheal Jackson's latest Album would have been called "America's greatest asset".
Hopefully the 'lovely' people who build nukes in Iran didn't open Betanews today.

The GRATEFUL DEAD and other USA artists are selling music downloads without any kind of DRM anti-piracy software attatched to them. Make as many copies as you need for your home stereos, cars, or portable MP-3 players.

DRM is not a requirement in the USA, just because SONY is loading peoples' computers with their damned rootkits. In that case Russian music stores aren't violating American laws either. Where do these RIAA jerks get off making demands in foreign countries in the first place, which aren't even the rule in their own backyard?

Mitch Bainwol has his own foreign policy; but he sure as Hell isn't Secretary of State either...

"America is trying to rule the world..."

We already are. So get off our internet, chump.

lmao...

Rule the world , you idiot. Americans are incapable of ruling Iraq and since when was the Internet developed by Americans ? I remember when your American icon, Bill Gates, said that the Net would never fly.

*whoosh*

Was that the sound of the joke flying over his head?

Seriously, do they really think Russia will move even a muscle over this? Almost sounds like a joke than anything else.

I said it before and I'll say it again. America is trying to rule the world.

No one really cares about your flawed music industry.

roflmao...

Which is why they're all downloading it like it was digital crack?

Yeah....okay, buddy.

Is it still legal to download music from Russian sites like AllofMP3.com if you reside in the USA? The prices are great vs. Apple ITunes, etc.....

It is *not* illegal to import music from a foriegn country into the US.

So yes, it is legal, as long as AllofMP3 remains legal in Russia.

That said, it's still not the most ethical thing in the world to do. You can be pretty damn sure the artists aren't seeing a penny of it.

And with *that* said, most artists most people would download from AllofMP3 have made plenty and probably won't die of starvation if you download the latest top-40.

I, personally, use it, and will continue to do so. I figure John Lenon isn't going to miss the $10, and Yoko didn't do a damn thing to deserve it.

"I, personally, use it, and will continue to do so. I figure John Lenon isn't going to miss the $10, and Yoko didn't do a damn thing to deserve it."

Maybe you should know that Michael Jackson paid millions of dollars for the BEATLES catalog years ago. He needs that money to pay lawyers; who can keep him out of jail. There was some discussion of selling it again during that last big trial.

So pirating the BEATLES has little to do with Lennon and McCartney any more...

record companies are now being investigated for price fixing their music downloads. That oughta bring a whole knew balance to the equation. I see allofmp3 as a valid competition method. Even if the albums were $5 a piece , I'd still go to allofmp3 first.

I assume next up the RIAA will ban ebay.com and half.com for selling used albums. (especially the ones being priced under $3.

Artists don't make a cent from the Music clubs either (BMG/Columbia House) I found this out long ago. Even at the bloated prices there. So whats the difference ethically from downloading from allofmp3.com and buying from bmgmusic.com?

The best would be to keep the products of the US American artists in US America - and not have them polluting the whole world with their most doubtful stuff.
So just tell the RIAA to stop offering their products anywhere but in the USA - and they won't have to worry about their pseudo-empty pockets.

The world could live with that - maybe better even.

What I don't understand is how the RIAA:

1) Is under investigation for price fixing
2) gets congressional help with getting other countries to pay the inflated price, and
3) Why they haven't changed their initials to RIAWFW. They are acting like they are the whole world...

"protect our greatest economic assets,"

If Britney Spears is our "Greatest Economic Asset", we're in more trouble than I thought...

nice :)

In Russia, RIAA pirates you. Since when does RIAA have world powers?

I'm surprised that RIAA didn't sue the Bush gov't for illegally taping phone calls. What will RIAA do stop selling CDs? Big deal.

"Since when does RIAA have world powers?"

They don't. This angry American sent a note to that Russian music store. Now, even they understand that DRM is not mandatory in the US either and some artists don't use it either.

How in the Hell do they sue the Russians, who don't use DRM; when we are doing the same thing here? The RIAA's bully is is abigger a--hole than the government officials who conduct US foreign policy...

Most people probably know I'm a big advocate of defending intellectual property rights, but I am not in any way an RIAA fan. I disapprove very much of their scare-tactics (suing 12-year-old girls and the like).

However, the RIAA is right here.

Russia has allowed sites like allofmp3.com to distribute U.S. artists' property for their own profit without any compensation to the artists or the consent of the copyright holders. That's illegal. Period.

I'm not coming back to this story, so don't expect any replies.

I know you said you wouldn't reply, but...

"That's illegal. Period."

Not in Russia. At least, not as it stands now. They are legal in Russia because they pay royalties to the Russian equivelant of RIAA.

The real question is whether or not their equivelant, ROMS, pays the US Artists, which is highly doubtful. But, by russian law and copyright policy, it is legal...in russia.

As Roj would probably say..

Contrary to the US's belief that the world revolves around it's own narrow views...it thankfully, does not.

I am not saying Russia's got it right, but I do think they are a *hell* of a lot closer to "right" than the US.

I know I said I wouldn't reply. In all honesty, that was just to keep people from flaming me =p.

I think you missed this part of the sentence before it:

"Russia has allowed..."

"That's illegal."

What I'm saying is that Russia should not make that activity legal. I agree that allofmp3.com has the right idea - no DRM, good prices, good quality - but I believe they should do it in a more ethical way (i.e. pay royalties to the actual content owners).

Ok. This time, I really am gone. =)

Fortunately Russia and many other countries don't have the rediculous narrow views of the United States.

I'm in a country where downloading music is completely legal. What's even better is to deliberately download music just to annoy the RIAA and their supporters. Another wonderful thing is to provide flame-bait to those that are severely under-educated and then just let the mouths run.

Next time maybe you'll consider that the topic included both American politics as well as the RIAA. You may also consider that several people here don't reside in the US (thank-god for that!) and therefore American legislation is useless at best.

It's unfortunate that Americans believe their laws are applicable to every other country in the world. I'll let you in on a little secret... American Laws (legislation) mean absolutely nothing outside of American Jurisdiction. The RIAA might have some power within America but beyond that, there's very little they can do.

Those of us in other countries will just continue to download and enjoy music.

"What I'm saying is that Russia should not make that activity legal. "

Why not? It's a different country. What you're also fogetting is that it is a country with no real concept of personal ownership. It's spent most of the last century where you didn't actually own anything but contributed to society as a whole which entitled you to a share.

AMEN. How do they sue a Russian music store, for not using DRM; which isn't mandatory in the USA either? F--- em'...

Download some music for me too. Death to the RIAA...

How about making it legal while providing alternative income for the "artists". (I use quotes out of respect for the real artists, since we're mainly talking about the Britney variety here)

Alternatives?

Levy system, like Canada.

Entertainment tax for broadband users breaking the 6Mb barrier.

I'm sure more creative minds could come up with better.

"Next time maybe you'll consider that the topic included both American politics as well as the RIAA. You may also consider that several people here don't reside in the US (thank-god for that!) and therefore American legislation is useless at best."

Keywords: Topic iincluded *american* politics and *RIAA*.

We're not *really* discussing Canadian law here, or any politics outside US/Russian copyright disagreements.

Still, somehow I managed to bring up canadian law and politics outside the narrow view of this topic without flaming anyone.

"Americans believe their laws are applicable to every other country in the world."

Not all of us, but thanks anyway.

"American Laws (legislation) mean absolutely nothing outside of American Jurisdiction."

You might have trouble explaining that to the *many* countries who use many of our more sane laws as a basis for their own....including Canada, the UK, and most recently, Iraq.

"The RIAA might have some power within America but beyond that, there's very little they can do."

Which brings us back on topic...it is exxactly the question this topic poses, and what this latest push will prove or disprove. You cannot deny that RIAA has had world-wide influence. Ever heard of Australia? The EU?

I'm not going to google it right now, but I'm quite certain I could come up with a dozen (even a few Betanews articles) about RIAA suing folks outside the US...and getting away with it.

"Those of us in other countries will just continue to download and enjoy music."

As long as the laws in your country allow for it...more power to ya.

No, wincement don't go ! I enjoy your far right Republican views with glee. Your comments , misguided as they are the reason, why I find Beta News the most incisive web site on the Net. You speak for America and I do not begrudge your feelings . My only feelings are that you consider the rest of the world .

"That's illegal. Period."

Do you even understand the meaning of the words you are using?

It is legal. Unethical? Maybe. Illegal in US? Maybe. But it is LEGAL in Russia where this company is located. Look up definition of the word when in doubt.

I think what happens in France and Russia is very different. France is progressing forward away from "intellectual property" period, while Russia did not arrive to that period yet. Hopefully events elsewhere will allow Russia to skip that period altogether.

Entertainment tax for broadband users breaking the 6Mb barrier. I don'y listen to the Brittney spears types or most of the RIAA's new crap. Paying for it is a rip-off.

The smart people sell their music through official band websites. You pay with a credit card, download their music and burn the CDs yourself. The RIAA gets none of this money. Buying directly from actual musicians is hardly piracy...

I'll let you in on a little secret... American Laws (legislation) mean absolutely nothing outside of American Jurisdiction. The RIAA might have some power within America but beyond that, there's very little they can do.

Those of us in other countries will just continue to download and enjoy music.

And they aren't the only ones despite the media propaganda to the contrary. The UK is even trying to harass people, for posting lyrics on line, even if we cannot understand the garbled lyrics of the newest rap song any way.

A typical response by the American / Bush Government. I often wonder what solutions other countries would devise if the US would discontinue interfering? First it's a war on people and now a war on music. I've always been fond of the saying "leave well enough alone".

What does a Senate decision have to do with Bush?

Try reading next time.

For a guy that says he's not replying any further...

Try sticking to your resolutions and try living outside of your american cave.

Thank-God I don't live in the United States.

... And I know how to read quite well, unfortunately many Americans are *well below* the literacy level which why the typical American MUST attend post-secondary institutions to get their literacy level comparable to that of the rest of a well educated world.

Now, let's see if our friend continues the flame-bait or drops it.

Plenty! He must sign their new fascist music laws; before they can be legally enforced...

Nice liberal & unpatriotic rants, lovely! Give yourselves a hand & toss congratulatory peanuts at yourselves-- most of which will probably land inside your still-wide-open collective snouts.
Why don't you also support American cars abroad all getting stolen from their showroom & factory storage lots--or the dollar counterfeiting in Iran & China...may as well go all the way: go for the gusto!

So the showbiz industry's going thru a price-correction phase while also settling on content delivery & commerce standards from among a constantly-changing array of emerging & leading-edge technologies-- get over it!
Buy what you can afford & either forget about what you can't OR just become a more succesful entrepreneur.
Don't expect successful folks to subsidize your income-generating defficiencies.
You will NOT suffer any permanent physical or psychological damage from playing one less game or enjoying one less mindless song or sitcom-- in fact, the opposite will likely happen: both your IQ & physical conditioning should stop their downward spirals.

I would like to ask why our tax dollars have to be wasted trying to protect RIAA. Why don't they do their own protection?? Isn't that why the artists pay them? Now they are getting paid from the artists and getting us to pay (through tax dollars)members of the house to do the actual enforcement. We also end up paying FBI/Prosecutors through our tax dollars to arrest, make a case, and prosecute. I am tired of citizens haveing to pay for private interests when those parties should be paying for it themselves.

"Why do we waste so much time on the RIAA; when FBI agents should be looking for the terrorists that Bush is always talking about. Perhaps he should listen to the RIAA's telephone calls and get a head of the game?"

**dup**

Thanks for the nice tip!
Now I will buy all of my music from "AllofMP3.com" forget about DRM!
everyone should fight DRM!
if you have DRM music, burn it to a CD and then
rip that cd back to MP3's and your DRM is gone!

The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) tries to push the legislation in other countries?
Hmm, I am waiting when, let say, German car makers will try to force the Congress to introduce higher taxes on American cars in the States...(in order to protect German workers).

The idiots at the RIAA obviously have an overinflated view of their own self-importance.

Now they aspire to dicatating foreign policy?

I have tow word for them and they're not "Happy Birthday".

This is one case where I hope Russia turns to the US and says "make me".

So the USA has finally said OR ELSE! I think Not!

their we go again usa playing world cop, no wonder everyone hates the US. Scary when we are hated more then China.

For what, the hope that they might sell more CD's there? Misguided - at best!

Not questioning the legality of allofmp3, nor the ethics and all of that, but they do have a very successful business model that shouldn't be ignored. People are paying 20c a track to a known, ethically "gray" group rather than go for free p2p files. Think about that one, and ask whether Congress is doing anyone a favor here.

THIS IS THE MOST THOUGHTFUL COMMENT ON HERE. CUSTOMERS ARE WILLING TO PAY 15-20 CENTS FOR A SONG VERSES GETTING IT FREE. TRUST ME, ANYONE SPHOPHISICATED ENOUGH TO USE ALLOFMP3 KNOWS ABOUT P2P AND MOST LIKLY HAS P2P MUSIC BUT MADE THE CHOICE TO PAY FOR THE MUSIC. WHY? BECAUSE AT A PRICE OF 1.50 PER ALBUM IT WASNT WORTH FINDING THE FILE, WAITING FOR A SLOW DOWN LOAD ETC. TAKE A CLUE RIAA, YOUR ANSWER LIES IN A MARKET FIX, NOT LAWYERS. MUSIC IS ANALOG BY NATURE, IT CAN ALWAYS BE COPIED, THE INTERNET IS GLOBAL YOU CANT SHUT DOWN EVERYONE. YOU NEED PEOPLE TO START BUYING MUSIC AT ANY PRICE. THAT PRICE IS MUSIC AT 15 CENTS PER SONG, IS AVALIABLE IN MULTIPLE FORMATS, AT MANY BIT RATES AND QUALITIES. OK SONY, SEND MY BONUS CHECK NOW.

Although you made me half-deaf with that yelling, I agree with you 100%. People will pay for convenience, but not too much. Worst case scenario allofmp3 moves to some other country or adds silly "restrictions" to remain legal but will always leave a hole open...

Said it before, and I'll say it again....I'd gladly pay $5-$7 an album if I was given anywhere near the options allofmp3 gives. Codec, quality...

If you haven't used it yet, try it. Even if you think it's "grey"...just to see what's possible.

right now, they're about 2 cents a Meg. Bring it up to 5, pay the royalties and watch the US netizens swarm. The choices and quality are worth it.

Since the Russians don't do slave labor for WalMart as the Chinese do, they will be pressed until they knuckle under. Meanwhile, you can buy pressed CDs anywhere in China for $1-$2 all day every day.

Ah, the joys of living in a corporate world.

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