The biggest roadblock in Russia’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) is about to be removed: AllofMP3.com, the Russia-based controversial music download site, will likely be shut down by Russian authorities, according to a document released by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, reports BetaNews. In addition to the apparent imminent closure of AllofMP3, Russia has also agreed to take steps to fight optical disc piracy and bringing intellectual property rights in line with WTO standards, among other things.
AllofMP3 has regularly defended its operation by claiming it has licenses from Russian Multimedia and Internet Society (ROMS) and the Rightholders Federation for Collective Copyright Management of Works Used Interactively (FAIR)...the new agreement between the two countries will prevent rights societies from taking action without consent of the rights holders themselves, in this case the music labels.