Cheap non-DRM mp3s, from Russia with loveIf you're trying to find some cheap commercial mp3 files, and are happy to flick your credit card number to a Russian-based internet company, then AllOfMP3.com is for you!

Boingboing initially reported on the Russian company making a massive collection of mp3 files available online (including many non-iTunes available tracks), for the cost of about US$0.20 a pop (as opposed to iTunes standard price of US$0.99 a track), and without any digital-rights management palaver that might stymie any future enjoyment of the tracks you've downloaded. Basically, it's a download-and-it's-yours-to-do-with-what-you-will service. Sounds great! Except for the Russian bit, I suppose. Can't say I'll be sending them my credit card details in a hurry.

Anyway, this sort of shady digital entrepreneurialism was obviously going to catch the eye of various copyright bodies, and indeed, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industries (IFPI) urged Russian authorities to take action against AllofMP3.com. But, the BBC (relaying info from the Tass Agency) reports that...

Moscow prosecutors will not take legal action because Russian copyright laws do not cover digital media.

The IFPI said it would fight the ruling if the Tass report was correct.

In a posting on its website AllofMP3 said the service was legal and that it was licensed to sell the MP3 tracks by the Russian Multimedia and Internet Society.

But the IFPI said the site was "unlicensed to distribute our members' repertoire inside Russia and in all major markets".

According to Tass, prosecutors had decided not to pursue with legal action because Russian copyright laws only cover physical media such as CDs or DVDs and not digital files such as MP3s.

"We have received no confirmation of any decision and we do not expect it for some time," a spokeswoman for the IFPI said.

"However if it is true that the prosecutor has not taken the case this would be very disappointing considering the blatant and large-scale infringement that continues to take place.

"If these reports are confirmed we will take the case further."

All I can say is good luck to them! You've got to laugh: "Russian copyright laws do not cover digital media." Their copyright laws are even more outmoded than New Zealand's!
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