[andygrif]

Originally Posted by yesman

So one would have to assume it is legal

Well you know what they say about assumption?



Whilst it may be perfectly legal for AllofMP3 to operate in Russia, there is no provision under either UK nor Russian copyright rules that permit its use here.

Originally Posted by Bender

i saw a couple of bits on theregister about them (allofmp3), but again, they harp on about the russian law. this is all well and good, but would I be breaking the law I am bound to in the UK if I downloaded something from that site, even though I would have paid first? it seems so grey and i can't find anywhere that can tell me one way or the other if I able to download from there without repercussions..

Technically you would be in breach of copyright by electronically importing a product that is under copyright anywhere else in the EU.

In addition both you and allofmp3 are technically in breach of EU sales tax rules on applying VAT to all electronic downloads as the end user's rate, irrespective of the whereabouts of the originating file, even if outside of the EU.

Allofmp3 are operating on a loophole in rather flaky Russian copyright laws. Under this loophole they are permitted to offer downloads, but it's not that simple, as they also need to gain permission from the other rights body in Russia, which has basically fallen out with the first body - so no-one is talking to anyone else - but technically they are operating outside of part of the Russian rules (as I understand it).

Finally, I believe, there is a moral issue. Allofmp3 are NOT paying eveyone involved in the song you can download. Whilst that might be unnoticable to some supergroup, if you're a struggling songwriter you need those royalties to eat and pay the rent. You will not get a single penny as a result of someone downloading a song from allofmp3.

And before anyone quotes only the first eight words of the last paragraph in a feeble attempt to justify their illicit downloading of music, I've heard all the excuses before, and none of them wash with me.

Originally Posted by deadite66

any site that isnt robbing enough money from it's clients is illegal in the eyes of music industry muppets.

It isn't as simple as that - as I am sure that you know.

However, saying all this...it's highly unlikely that anyone who does subscribe to this shady Russian operation will get the BPI knock at the door. The only possibility would be that the rules change in Russia (they're trying to do that now) and that Allofmp3 has it's kit confisacted and the credit card numbers of subscribers distributed to the UK authorities. Unlikely, but a distinct possibility.