UK British music recording industry trade association, the BPi, has today issued a statement that they have “successfully jumped the first hurdle in its battle to have unauthorised Russian download site AllofMP3.com declared illegal.”
AllofMP3 has been really getting on their wicks for a long time, as it sells music downloads for normally under $2 per _album_ rather than the 99c per track that iTunes has made standard. Given the choice between the two prices, many people are going the cheaper route offered by AllofMP3.com.
To take action against an entity outside the UK, the BPI is required to apply to the UK High Court. This is what has now been granted.
The BPI’s next steps aren’t certain and they told us that they contemplating various options. Possibilities include taking personal legal action against the owners/directors of AllofMP3 or against the company as a legal entity.
They informed us that various treaties exist between the UK and Russia for pursuing legal actions.
The argument of the BPI is that AllofMP3 has no right to be selling the music, as they aren’t licensed to do so. AllofMP3 counter that they are “authorized by the license # LS-3М-05-03 of the Russian Multimedia and Internet Society (ROMS) and license # 006/3M-05 of the Rightholders Federation for Collective Copyright Management of Works Used Interactively (FAIR).”
We asked the BPI about this and they claimed that ROMS “wasn’t a collection society recognised by the UK industry.”
It’s clear that the BPI isn’t going to just let AllofMP3 continue with what they view as illegal activity. Taking legal action across International boarders is pretty tough, as is enforcing these legal actions. The BPI’s lawyers must be rubbing their hands with glee.
ifpi’s words on AllohMP3
AllofMP3.com’s view on their legality