Battleangel

Now that is what happens when the two largest credit card companies have their base of operations in the U.S. One never seizes to be amazed by the subterfuge the Americans can get out of their hegemony and the sheer level of government-corporate interoperability. The feeling one gets is that the American system constantly exceeds its own mandate and that the back rubbing has now reached epidemic levels.

Visa International and MasterCard Inc. have stopped accepting credit card transactions for purchases of online music made on a Russian Web site accused of selling music illegally, officials for both payment systems said Wednesday.

San Francisco-based Visa asked member banks not to process purchases from AllofMP3.com as of Sept. 1, said Simon Barker, a spokesman for the company.

“The action Visa has taken is in line with legislation passed in Russia and with basic international copyright and intellectual property norms,” Barker said.

Fortunately, AllofMP3 isn’t giving up quite so easily, points out that they aren’t illegal in the strictest interpretation of Russian law. And there are still viable payment methods. So all in all, thanks for reminding the world that we can’t rely on neither Visa nor Mastercard. Just as we can’t rely on GPS or ICANN just to name a few. Government control or not isn’t the issue as long as these organizations, corporations are operating from American soil or operated by persons who are supportive of America.

Heed the message of AllofMP3. The media conglomerates will need to adapt a similar business model if they don’t wish to be relegated from existence.