Russian download site shut down
Russian download site Allofmp3.com has been shut down.
The service, which sold songs at a fraction of the cost of the other sites, claimed to be the second biggest seller of music downloads after iTunes.
The site has been the subject of several lawsuits from UK and US record labels that claimed it violated copyright law, reports BBC News.
The site's owners MediaServices maintained the site was legal under Russian law, and has subsequently set up a new service called mp3Sparks.com.
The closure of the original site has been welcomed by the record industry.
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry chairman John Kennedy said: "Allofmp3.com violated copyright law in Russia and internationally by ripping off artists and creators, taking music that it had no right to reproduce and selling it worldwide. If this is the end of allofmp3.com this is good news."
Numerous lawsuits were started against the site's owners MediaServices, and the Russian government have come under criticism for its apparent lack of action against the site.
In 2006 a lawsuit was filed on behalf of Arista Records, Warner Bros, Capitol and UMG recordings. They said they were selling songs without permission.
Under increased pressure Moscow finally signed an agreement in October last year to shut down the site. |
Sigur R?s live at the BFI Southbank
Sigur R?s, who this week were honoured at the Q Awards with the award for 'Innovation In Sound?, will perform a very special acoustic concert at the BFI Southbank (formerly the National Film Theatre) on November 5th, prior to the screening of their hugely acclaimed film 'Heima?. Further screenings are also confirmed around the UK.
'Heima? has been shown at film festivals across the globe over the past two weeks, and has received universal plaudits hailing it as one of the finest music films ever made. It is a truly stunning, beautiful and moving piece of cinema that deeply affects everyone who has seen it. Hypnotic, arresting, charming, quirky, emotional and thought-provoking it is as much a record of Iceland and its people as it is a film about Sigur R?s? music.
The film receives its UK premiere at the BBC Electric Proms on October 24th and is then screened at the BFI Southbank, accompanied by a short live concert. The film will also be screened in Glasgow, Cardiff, Leeds, Newcastle and Liverpool (details below). The DVD of 'Heima? is released on Nov 5th alongside the album 'Hvarf-Heim?.
Tickets for the BFI Southbank concert and screening went on sale last week and sold out immediately. |
Patrick Wolf to play grand tour 'Finale'
Patrick Wolf is to play a special London show as part of his Finale Tour.
His gig at Shepherd's Bush Empire will be split into two halves, first with Wolf playing solo with a grand piano, before being joined by a full band for the second half.
The two halves will be separated by an intermission.
The title of the tour does not mean he is retiring, however.
A statement says: "To avoid any confusion that this might mean he is retiring, this will in fact be the last show for a while and that, from here, he will go off to finish writing and recording his next album." |
