While Russian telecoms regulator is claiming that the local social network vKontakte (InTouch) has done enough against piracy to be removed from the USTR’s Special 301 Report, the US music labels don’t believe that.

Sony, Universal, EMI and Warner claim in response that they are ready to sue the social networking giant because of millions of MP3s not just on vKontakte but on free download websites across the web as well.

For a few years now, vKontakte has been marked as a piracy enabler by copyright owners and even the American authorities. In several Special 301 Reports published by the USTR, the social networking giant has been criticized for the piles of unauthorized media it hosts. The United States labeled vKontakte a “notorious market”. The problem is that the service allows its tens of millions of post-USSR users to upload whatever they want – from films and TV shows to music collections. This material automatically becomes available for anyone to enjoy, and not just the Russians – in fact, many of the free MP3 download websites are powered by music pulled from vKontakte. By the way, vKonakte’s owner was the first person to offer job to Edward Snowden.

After receiving numerous complaints, the company had deployed fingerprinting technology, something similar to YouTube’s Content ID, and claimed that it should be enough to be removed from the USTR’s list. However, the Hollywood studios and major labels aren’t happy about the company. In fact, the music industry is preparing to take vKontakte on in the traditional way – via lawsuit.

Sony, Universal, EMI, Warner and other copyright holders have run out of patience and are going to sue the social network after the holidays and promise that 2014 will be much more aggressive and brazen year for the Internet society. They are reported to be ready to sue in an attempt to have at least 6,000 pieces of music removed from the website, including works from Eminem, Beyonce, 50 Cent, Pink Floyd, Madonna, Linkin Park, and Metallica.

The labels claimed that they have tried to negotiate with vKontakte to make it pay for the music it hosts and suggested to shift those costs to its users. However, the social network wasn’t interested, though it still profits from advertising while its users listen to illegal music. The industry experts forecast that the legal action will take up to a few months or even a few years, depending on the determination of each side.

Thanks to TorrentFreak for providing the source of the article.