MOSCOW (AFX) - Sony BMG is planning to sell music tracks through Russian language internet sites in a bid to combat rampant piracy, the Kommersant daily reported, citing Denis Komarovsky, director of Sony BMG's Russian office.
Sony BMG is in talks with major Russian online music vendors such as mp3.ru and Janga! to make around 100,000 tracks available for up to 60 cents each, Komarovsky said.
The group has been encouraged by Russian steps to strengthen intellectual property protection law and by the increasing number of legal online vendors with a steadily growing clientele, Komarovsky said.
Alexander Blinov, head of Gala Records, which represents EMI in Russia, agreed with this upbeat view: 'By the end of 2006, the number of mp3-player owners in Russia will top 3 mln, and if each downloads 100 tracks a year, it would make 150 mln usd total considering the legal prices.'
Analysts warn, however, that around 97 pct of music files shared and sold over the internet in Russia today are illegal, Kommersant said.
Other music giants such as EMI and Vivendi's Universal Music are also mulling entering the Russian online market, Kommersant added. newsdesk@afxnews.com afp/jsa COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2005. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News. AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited
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