MP3.com issues counter lawsuit against US music trade group

MP3.com has filed a lawsuit against the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and its president Hilary Rosen, less than a month after being sued by the trade group.

The online music provider alleges that the RIIA is guilty of unfair business practices.

"Since inception, MP3.com has faced the increasingly aggressive tactics of the RIAA and its leadership," said Michael Robertson, MP3.com's chairman and chief executive. "We can no longer tolerate the tactics of this trade association".

The RIAA has yet to issue a statement on MP3.com's action, which was filed yesterday.

On 21 January, the RIAA filed a lawsuit against MP3.com accusing the company of violating copyrights with technology developed to send music tracks directly to computers through the Internet. The trade group also accused MP3.com of illegally compiling an online "jukebox" of 40,000 copyright albums.