The British Phonographic Institute (BPI), an organization that represents the major record labels, has gained approval from the High Court in London to proceed with its action against the Russian pirate music download site AllOfMP3.com. AllOfMP3 which is known as the new “Napster” in the music industry is a digital music download service that offers music downloads worldwide for as little as £1 for an entire album. AllOfMP3 is not paying any royalties to artists or labels which calls for a criminal investigation. (The Observer)

Major Record labels are preparing to sue Yahoo China for infringing copyright laws. About 90% of all recordings in China are illegal, with sales of pirated music estimated about $400 million annually, according to record industry officials. EMI, Universal Music Group, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group Corp., Go East Entertainment Co., Gold Label Entertainment Ltd. and Cinepoly Records Co. last year filed a civil suit against Baidu.com Inc., which is the most-used Internet search engine in China. (LA Times)

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