Google this week booted the GrooveShark music streaming app from its Android Market, following in the footsteps of Apple, which last summer gave the self-described "World’s Music Library" similar treatment on iTunes.
GrooveShark has mobile apps listed on its website for Android, BlackBerry, webOS and even jailbroken iPhone devices, however, and says it intends to get re-instated on the Android Market.
It has been responding to comments from fans and foes via Twitter, telling one commenter: "We are legit and compliant with the DMCA [Digital Millennium Copyright Act]. Thanks for your support," and telling Wired magazine that it is "baffled" by Google's move.
GrooveShark has been a controversial service, running into copyright fights with music labels such as EMI and Universal Music Group even as Google itself is undergoing increased congressional scrutiny over its own copyright dealings. GrooveShark said in a statement to TechCrunch that a Recording Industry Association of America complaint to Google about the free GrooveShark service might have prompted the dismissal of the app from the Android Market.
Meanwhile, reports have surfaced this week that Google is attempting to clean up its act regarding copyrights and as part of that is giving its YouTube service about a $100 million makeover focused on delivering more original content and rumours have also picked up about Google rolling out its own music service.
Regarding the GrooveShark app ban, Google told CNET: "We remove apps from Android Market that violate our policies." Google has previous nixed, at least temporarily, other apps, including the Kongregate Arcade.
Source: Network World US
