ALLOFMP3 HEADING FOR EXTINCTION?

For quite a while now, those willing to take their chances on bar-room readings of Russian law have enjoyed themselves drinking deeply from allofmp3.com, the site which sold you downloads for less than the price of sweet cigarette, and reckoned it was fine under Russian law.

And so it appeared to be - the IFPI (the RIAA with some flags) kept pushing for Russian police to do something to protect their precious profits, but the police couldn't see any crime being committed. The most recent investigation, in February, turned up nothing.

Of course, the record companies of the world didn't get where they are today by accepting the laws of the land in which they operate. If they don't like something, they put pressure on to have the rules redrafted in their favour. And it seems, once again, national interests will be bent to the whims of Sony and friends. Putin seems to be offering a restrictive new system of IP as part of the price of Russia joining the World Trade Organisation:

"A necessary condition for developing new technology is more reliable protection of intellectual property. We must defend copyright inside the country. That is our obligation to our foreign partners," Putin said.

"We must also ensure protection of intellectual property rights of our own producers."

Of course, even if they do close down allofmp3, the victory may be bittersweet. Because Russia might want to join the WTO - but what about Ukraine? Or Georgia? The IFPI has a lot more work to do before the boardrooms can enjoy their thirty-pound sandwiches in comfort.

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