Here’s the list of music piracy sites being watched by the US government, and what they do
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has released its annual “Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy,” highlighting several online platforms that facilitate music piracy. Key sites identified include:
• MP3Juices: A stream-ripping service that allows users to convert YouTube videos into downloadable MP3 files, infringing on music copyrights.
• Newalbumreleases: A website offering unauthorized downloads of newly released music albums, often before their official release dates.
• Rutracker: A Russian torrent site providing access to a vast library of pirated music content, remaining active despite legal actions.
• Zamunda: A Bulgarian torrent tracker facilitating the distribution of unauthorized music files, contributing to significant revenue losses for artists and record labels.
The USTR report emphasizes the role of “bulletproof” internet service providers (ISPs) that knowingly host these infringing sites, often ignoring takedown notices and legal actions. This complicity hinders efforts to combat digital piracy effectively. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has highlighted the challenges posed by these ISPs, noting their refusal to respond to infringement notices. The USTR’s identification of these platforms aims to pressure governments and stakeholders to take action against intellectual property violations, protecting the rights of artists and the music industry.
