AllOfMP3 Shut-Down Doesn't Slow Downloaded Music

Last year, Russia entered talks regarding the country's entry into the World Trade Organization. During those talks, the Trade Representative from the United States rallied to the cause of music labels, stating that the Russian website, AllOfMP3.com, would have to be closed down before Russia could gain entry in the WTO.

In October of the same year, Russian authorities signed an agreement to shut down the music download service, and finally, in early July of 2007, the site was closed for business.

Corporate labels should be doing a dance for joy. But they're not.

A Rose by Any Other Name...

It would seem that whatever millions have been spent by music labels in the attempt to close down websites including AllOfMP3 has actually cost the labels money for nothing. As Shakespeare once wrote, "A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet."

Within hours of the closing of AllOfMP3.com, its parent company, MediaServices, had launched a new website. The new website is called MP3Sparks.com; a new name for the same service. Members of the old website are happily reporting that their account information and login details have been moved over to the new site, meaning that they're experiencing virtually uninterrupted service.

Like the old website, the new one delivers prices on music downloads that no one else in the industry can touch. It is touted as being the second largest provider of music downloads (after Apple iTunes); and within the boundaries of its own country, MP3Sparks is actually legit. MediaServices has maintained its legitimacy under Russian law despite numerous attempts to press copyright lawsuits against them by music companies in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

Music and the WTO

Major music labels have spent literally millions in the last several years investigating and pressing charges against people violating copyright law by sharing music. Their tactics have come under fire several times, and their continued attack has drawn criticism from even the most law-abiding citizens.

On a public comment board, a user identified as "Trevor" posted a very clear message that states how many people feel concerning the music industry as it now operates. "I don't advocate stealing anything," Trevor said, "but then again, I don't advocate illegal price fixing such as the major music labels have engaged in, either. (Funny how they fail to mention that as often as they yammer on about 'Illegal music downloading', isn't it?) When I walk into a store and see the CD I want for $16 or $17, I think 'Pfffffft!' and walk away. Then, I think about visiting sites like mp3sparks.com."

So what does all this have to do with the WTO anyway?

When the Russian government signed the agreement to shut down AllOfMP3.com, politicians and corporate big-wigs rejoiced. It seemed that Russian authorities were finally going to take steps on changing their new media copyright practices, which seriously fall short of the worldwide standard.

"The fact that closing down allofmp3.com simply resulted in the opening of a copy cat site by the same company shows that this requires some more fundamental action by the Russian authorities," said Jupiter Research's Mark Mulligan on his blog. "However, it could also be interpreted as cosmetic action by a government that is intent on satisfying WTO accession requirements but less keen on changing Russian new media copyright practices."

It's not currently clear whether the website was shut down in response to government pressure. What is clear is that in the world of music and downloads, it's business as usual. As another comment poster stated, "There will always be alternatives, even if Mp3Sparks closes down too: there is a huge list of sites similar to AllOfMP3 at www.songboom.com that explains the differences between them all with a side-by-side comparison."