Some of our readers will remember that the Grooveshark App was removed from the Apple App Store last year, just a week after it was made available, and now it seems that Google has decided to remove Grooveshark from the Android market.
Grooveshark is a music service that lets users share music with each other, and it has more than 6 million songs online and has been accused by EMI in a lawsuit of copyright violations.
Google told CNET, that the application had been removed from the Android Market because it apparently violates Google Android Market policies, although Google did not specify exactly what the violation was.
Background on Grooveshark’s Legal Issues
Grooveshark has been embroiled in legal battles for several years. The service, which allows users to upload and share music, has faced multiple lawsuits from major record labels. EMI, one of the largest record companies, has accused Grooveshark of copyright infringement, claiming that the platform allows users to share music without proper licensing. This has led to significant legal challenges for Grooveshark, impacting its availability on major app stores.
The removal of Grooveshark from the Apple App Store last year was a significant blow to the company. Apple cited similar reasons for the removal, pointing to violations of its App Store policies. The app’s brief availability on the Apple platform had garnered a substantial user base, making its removal a notable event in the music streaming industry.
Google’s Strategic Move
Considering that Google is working with record companies to put together their own music service, called Google Music, it is no surprise that the application has been removed from the Android Market, especially when it is subject to a lawsuit between EMI and Grooveshark. Google obviously wants to keep the record companies happy.
Google’s decision to remove Grooveshark from the Android Market can be seen as a strategic move to align with the interests of the music industry. By developing Google Music, Google aims to create a legitimate and licensed music streaming service that complies with copyright laws. This move is likely intended to foster positive relationships with record labels, ensuring that Google Music can launch without legal hindrances.
The removal of Grooveshark also highlights the challenges faced by music streaming services in navigating copyright laws. While Grooveshark offered a unique platform for music sharing, its legal issues underscore the importance of obtaining proper licenses and adhering to copyright regulations. This is a critical lesson for emerging music streaming services that aim to operate within the legal framework.
The removal of Grooveshark from both the Apple App Store and the Android Market reflects the ongoing legal challenges faced by the platform. As Google moves forward with its own music service, the importance of maintaining positive relationships with record labels and adhering to copyright laws becomes increasingly evident. The music streaming industry continues to evolve, and companies must navigate complex legal landscapes to provide users with legitimate and enjoyable music experiences.
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