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Digital
Google refuses to block MP3 download app
By CMU Editorial | Published on Wednesday 16 November 2011
Despite trying to woo the music majors to back its new music service, likely to be launched in LA tonight, Google is facing a full on dispute with the Recording Industry Association Of America over the MP3 Music Download Pro app, which is currently the fifth most popular free app on the Google-operated Android Market app store.
The app makes it easier for users of Android smartphones to find free music on the mobile internet and to download them to their phones. But, a lot of the content being accessed via the app is coming from unlicensed sources, meaning – the RIAA argues – it is contributing to copyright infringement. So the organisation wrote to Google requesting it remove the app from its store. But, according to PC Mag, the web giant refused.
PC Mag quotes an RIAA rep as saying: “We sent a takedown notice to Google in August for this particular app, which is clearly being used for illegal purposes, and Google responded that they were declining to remove it from the Android Market. We continue to have concerns with Google’s screening and takedown procedures and hope that they will be improved”.
It seems Google is hesitant about blocking the Download Pro app because it can be used to download legitimate content, ie MP3s being given away by rights owners. Though when various file-sharing software makers used the “but our service has legitimate uses” argument in court when facing allegations of contributory copyright infringement, judges have usually insisted liability can only be circumvented if filters are put in place to block the downloading of blatantly unlicensed content.
Assuming Google continues to allow the MP3 Music Download Pro app to be distributed, it remains to be seen what action the RIAA takes next – ie whether to sue the app maker direct, or step up its demands of Team Google.
