Russian download site lashes out at U.S.
Russian download site allofmp3.com denied that the company pirates music and claimed that the United States is maligning the company to prevent Russia from joining the World Trade Organization.
According an Associated Press report, executives from allofmp3.com held a press conference to condemn U.S. attempts to paint the company as a renegade.
"The US government is conveniently using allofmp3 as an issue to gain further concessions from Russia," The AP quoted company CEO Vadim Mamotin.
Record labels have accused allofmp3 of selling music without properly compensating artists and labels. Last month U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab has placed the company on a "notorious markets list" and accused Russia of allowing allofmp3 of operating with impunity, the AP reported.
The company asserted that it has paid royalties to a Russian group that represents artists.
Russia is the only major economy not in the WTO.
Greg Sandoval covers media and digital entertainment for CNET News. He is a former reporter for The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. E-mail Greg, or follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sandoCNET. 
