(The following is a developing story, so stay tuned for more updates and developments on digitalmusicnews.com.)
Google has now deleted a number of music blogs from its Blogger service, at the behest of concerned major labels. The labels tapped the blogs based on copyright infringement issues, though the blogs themselves were severed a bit unceremoniously.
So which blogs? Pop Tarts, Masala, I Rock Cleveland, To Die By Your Side, It’s a Rap and Living Ears are among the departed. “We’d like to inform you that we’ve received another complaint regarding your blog,” a copy of the Google notice stated. “Upon review of your account, we’ve noted that your blog has repeatedly violated Blogger’s Terms of Service … [and] we’ve been forced to remove your blog. Thank you for your understanding.”
But is that cool? According to information gleaned Thursday by Digital Music News, a number of the blogs in question had received multiple DMCA notices, though the legal issues may have been left in limbo. “How do I feel about it? I’m sick of this stuff!” Dion Lunadon from the band True Lovers relayed. “Under contract they are supposed to promote our music to the fullest not hinder it.”
Google has been responding to this issue, and actually restored one blog that had not received a prior DMCA notice. For the rest, the lights are simply out. “When we receive multiple DMCA complaints about the same blog, and have no indication that the offending content is being used in an authorized manner, we will remove the blog,” Google offered in a statement.
Report by Alexandra Osorio.