The RIAA is upset because Google refuses to remove the popular “MP3 Music Download Pro” app from the Android market. “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,” an RIAA spokeswoman told PCMag.com. “We continue to have concerns with Google’s screening and takedown procedures and hope that they will be improved.” The RIAA and other entertainment industry groups have been pushing hard against Google to take down apps they deem to be infringing. Although the company is generally very cooperative, the groups are not always pleased with the slow response times. Last month Google deleted the popular Frostwire app from the Android market, but it’s unknown whether this had anything to do with complaints from groups like the RIAA. Read More

November 12, 2011 The RIAA has a new target in its sights: Apps on the Google Android platform which could be used to download copyrighted music to smartphones. MP3 Music Download Pro is currently the eighth most-popular free Android app. It’s promoted as allowing users to “search and download free music & lyrics,”and it’s not alone in doing so, with Easy MP3 Downloader and MP3 Music Download Super two other apps which offer similar. The problem is that the “free music” includes music that shouldn’t actually be free. According to PC Mag, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) claims that it’s clear these apps are being used for piracy. The organization, which exists to represent the major labels in the U.S., also claims to have sent a takedown notice for MP3 Music Download to Google in August. Google has acknowledged receipt of the notice but hasn’t yet acted on it. Read More