I’ve written a few times about AllofMP3.com, the incredibly-cheap, legal-but-Russian (or should that be the other way around) music download site. The price was appealing, but what really appeals to me about AllofMP3.com is the DRM-free files. I can download the music without being beholden to any particular technological overseers.
Once MP3tunes.com launches, though, I may be faced with a crisis of conscience–should I buy American? From Yahoo News:
“I don’t want a world where every piece of music or every device I buy has a fruit logo on it,” Robertson says, referring to Apple. The computer vendor has been criticized for using DRM technology so tracks bought in its ITunes music store can be played only on its IPod portable media player and not on any other portable music player.
Of course, at this stage, the major labels haven’t signed up with MP3tunes. I’m less likely to buy many 88 cent songs when all they’re offering are independents. Still, anybody who puts pressure on iTunes et al to reconsider their pricing or DRM strategies is a good thing.
DarrenBarefoot.com 
I think the phrase you’re looking for would be “legal in Russia” … The act of downloading the files wouldn’t necessarily be legal anywhere else if you don’t already own the album.
I tried allofmp3 out back before Paypal cut them off, and it’s a well designed service, and provides a LOT of surprising albums in as high of a quality as you’d like. The idea would be an excellent one for the RIAA and artists… you have a longer, more complex song, you’ll get paid more.
$1-2 a song is a bit much for an mp3 encoded at 128… from Emusic or similar.
just get Kazaa Lite or Soulseek and get the tunes for free, and send the artists a buck or two. It’s more than the record companies’ll give ’em anyway.
It appears that the legality of the Russin site is being questioned.
Russian police probe cheap downloads site
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/02/22/allofmp3_probe/