This time, the RIAA has hit in Russia. Nevermind that the site is complying with Russian copyright law, and that they’re paying the required royalties — it’s just that the US hasn’t recognized the organization designated to handle the funds.
I’m still waiting for the RIAA (and the MPAA, for that matter) to realize what the internet is capable of, and use those capabilities to rework their business model instead of trying to block the internet into fitting into the way they think it should be used.
Hopefully we will soon start seeing DIY bands that completely bypass record labels and the RIAA, and create an internet-based business model. That way, the bands would be getting all of the money, and wouldn’t be funding a powerful and outdated industry that goes around suing people.