According to a document released by the U.S. Trade Representative to Russia, music download site Allofmp3.com is to be targeted for closure by U.S. and Russian authorities.

The meeting was characterized as the results of “bilateral negotiations on Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization”.

The document, a “fact sheet” dated November 19, identifies AllofMp3.com as an example of “Internet piracy”.

“The United States and Russia agreed on the objective of shutting down websites that permit illegal distribution of music and other copyright works. The agreement names the Russia-based website allofmp3.com as an example of such a website.

“Russia will take enforcement actions against the operation of Russia-based websites; and investigate and prosecute companies that illegally distribute copyright works on the Internet,” the sheet added.

According to U.S. experts, losses from copyright piracy in Russia hit $1.7 billion in 2005, and have exceeded $6.5 billion over the past five years. Experts say virtually all films, music, software and books are counterfeited in Russia, and that pirated products account for 67-85% of all copyright material in the country.

Russia said it would also act by June 1, 2007 to take action and prevent rights societies from taking action without consent of the rights holders themselves.

Running by the Moscow company MediaServices, Allofmp3 has an estimated revenue of $30 million a year.

AllofMP3 typically charges under $1 for an entire album and just cents per track. By contrast, an album at Apple Computer Inc.’s iTunes Music Store and other licensed services typically costs about $10 and a song 99 cents.

AllofMP3.com representatives could not be contacted for comment.

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