The RIAA has accused Internet giant Google of refusing requests to remove MP3 Music Download Pro, an popular Android app which allows users to download copyrighted music onto their Android phones. The app is the fourth most popular free Android app, ranking above Angry Birds, which is currently No. 5.
The app describes itself as follows:
search and downlaod (sic) music and lyric and Album cover.
manage music: play | delete | set as Ringtone notification.
multi-thread download, you can download 3 songs at the same time.
Despite being a "pro" app, which normally translates into paid, it's a free app.
"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."
The big question is why this has become semi-headline news at this point. A search of the Android Market at any time will bring up tons of free apps that are used to download music in a similar manner to this one. In fact, if you search for MP3 Music Download Pro in the Android Market, you will find the results include FOUR versions of the app, all by the same author, although one calls itself V2.
We've seen MP3 download apps come and go rapidly in the Wild Wild West that is the Android Market. If one is removed, another by the same author appears. Or, as in the case of the MP3 Music Download Pro app, the author will place several versions in the Android Market at once, seemingly just in case one of them is removed.
Steven Marks, the executive vice president and general counsel at the RIAA said,
"Google has taken down some mobile apps that facilitate infringement, but the takedown times are long, and too often we see the same or substantially similar apps from the same developers re-appear a few days later. Google could also take a more proactive role by screening and evaluating apps before they are made available. Most importantly, too many apps created to harvest links to unauthorized files remain available and popular on the Android marketplace, resulting in widespread infringement of copyrighted works."
One has to wonder if, when Google launches its online music store, it will become more strict and vigilant at going after these apps.
Music is tuned by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy while the lyrics are given by Farhan’s father i.e.Javed Akhtar. Kartik Calling Kartik songs were requested two times before the release.. also it’s from SEL and Farhan Akhtar, my expectations are bound to be high. I am listening a lovely track Jaane Ye Kya Huwa, hope you like them..
Right click and choose ‘Save Target As’. Enjoy!
Hey Ya!- Loy Mendonca, Shankar Mahadevan & Clinton Cerejo
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