Google throws Grooveshark from Android Market
Google throws Grooveshark from Android Market
Google has the Android app of music service Grooveshark after 16 months from the Android Market removed due to copyright claims by the RIAA.
The Android app of the popular music site Grooveshark appeared in 2010. Google has app few days ago, removed from the Market due to allegations of copyright infringement by record companies. A Google spokesman against CNet mentions only “violation of the terms” of the Market as a reason for removal.
Complaint of record labels
At first it was unclear why Google suddenly had removed the app, but it soon became apparent that the club music industry labels, the RIAA, had sent a letter complaining.
Last year, Apple scrapped in August Grooveshark app from the App Store, even after complaints from record labels. Grooveshark now refers Android users to its mobile site. The company let out via the Twitter app now wishes to cast them. Via some external appstores for Android, including Opera Mobile Store, the app is still available for downloading. Grooveshark has apps for Nokia‘s Symbian, Blackberry OS and Palm WebOS.
Hearing
Removing the Grooveshark app coincides with a parliamentary hearing that Google is opposite an inquiry to defend against charges that the company participates in online collection of pirated and counterfeit goods. Google provides such services where such offer the opportunity to compete to earn ad revenue through Google Adsense.
Grooveshark is a company in Florida for several years a music service which offers millions of songs via a Flash application can be heard. Users can also upload music to Grooveshark server for other users to find. The web version of Grooveshark.com is free, but use of mobile apps will cost $ 9 per month.
Deal with EMI
In 2009 the site was even sued by record label EMI, but Grooveshark reached a settlement and a licensing agreement with EMI. How this sits with other record companies, is unclear. Universal puts forward a case against the site. The ruling late in coming, warner and Sony also see pirates as yet Grooveshark site.
14.00 UPDATE: Grooveshark lets CNet surprised to know the action taken by Google. “We respect copyrights and generate positive results and income for artists and labels that we agree with it. For the content we do not line vote about it, we pay royalties and abide by the rules of the DMCA law, the same law that governs how Google with YouTube equipment to handle them”. The company also wants to reach deals with more record labels and thinks that should happen “in the boardroom, not in court.”