And, yes, societies, all of them, decide how to handle intellectual properties, and societies, all of them, balance concerns of the content creator and society in general. For example, when you write a book in the United STates, eventually it will be come public domain. It will be a long time after you are dead, but one day, it will be free, for anyone to copy. Because its nonsensical to keep copyrights forever without expiration…it doesn’t provide a benefit to society to lose every work, once it drops out of commericial viability.

By the same token Russia has a licensing agency, and American companies largely choose not to participate. They could, but they don’t. So then you have AllofMP3, selling music, paying Royalties, and American companies not even applying for Royalties…because they object to the laws of a sovereign nation.

Than can object, to those laws, to any countries laws…but there isn’t any surprises here, about the consequences.

I do hope this gets resolved someday. But stop accusing americans of stealing for buying legal products in Russia, and importing their purchases back to the United States… this happens all the time, everyday, and isn’t criminal, and its absurd to think so.

The lawsuit isn’t criminal anyway, its tort, so grow up.

If the music companies incorporated in Bermuda, the tax savings realized would probably offset their costs of litigation and music copying.

How will anyone be able to take the RIAA seriously again? US based Joe music lover will have a great addition to his defense: “your honor, please see how the RIAA is trying to extort this website…”

$1.65 Trillion just stupid

First of all, yes, russian legislation allows this kind of activity. And… while is might seem stupid or unfair, there’s nothing wrong with the law from a ‘fair point of view’. I can provide you with details, if you wish.

There’s just one big THING that is terribly wrong. And it’s not about AllOfMP3 or any other (and there’re dozens) website that is supposedly ‘breaking the law’. It’s about negotiation.

I couldn’t possibly dream of buying legal CDs about 7-8 years ago. They were totally non-existant. But now (here comes the surprise…) there’s a plenty of ‘light-weight’ versions of legal CDs and DVDs that come at a lower price. Most of the russian blockbusters are not pirated. People are negotiating - both sides.

As long as RIAA thinks it is ok to sell music at $15 per disc, they’re doomed. This issue is not about Russia or this particular music store - I’m sure there’re plenty of other countries that allow this ‘piracy’. They should start negotiating, that’s the only possible way out.

And saying that “record companies take all the profits” - yes they do, and its only the non-music stars that are complaining. The rise of an artist from a nobody to a star is a huge risk - its like a VC firm - they take a risk on a person (company) and expect a big return out of them. Making somebody a star costs the Record companies shitloads upon shitloads of dollars - how can you say VC’s are any different?

They take X% of company and expect a massive return. Maybe Sequoia were bastards to Youtube as they ended up with 400+ mil. How the logic any fking different?

Its not - record companies want to make profits like everyone else. The music stars dont give a shit because they earning a crapload anyways, get all the sex they want and get to play music.

So stfu everyone who says “music labels are taking all the money”

(if that fails, my name points to the Flickr photo

Any other countries that have also blocked access based on local court rulings?

Being taxed by the majors for having a computer? No thanks.

Cheers and Happy New Year!!