Russian music service allofmp3.com has been forced to close after its operators were accused of infringing copyright.
The International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) and other music industry representatives had complained that the company, which sold songs for download at a fraction of the normal price, was committing mass copyright infringement.
Geoff Taylor, chief executive of the British Phonographic Industry, which has been trying to sue allofmp3.com in the UK, said in a statement: "The reported closure of allofmp3 is welcome news, and another important step for the recording industry as we seek to direct consumers away from illegal online services towards the many legal alternatives."
The US Trade Representative's Special 301 report highlighted allofmp3.com as "the most notorious of several problem websites operating within Russia".
Similar file-sharing websites still exist in Russia, and reports have said that a new site – mp3sparks.com – uses the same interface as allofmp3.com.
