Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has sent a memo to YouTube-MP3.org saying that the act of converting YouTube videos into MP3s that can be put on devices such as iPods, violated the site’s terms of service, reports Greg Sandoval of CNET. In addition, Google has said that any failure to cease operations could result in “legal consequences”. Google has already went ahead and blocked YouTube from the site’s servers.
Google has faced some opposition in the past over these sites and their ability to convert Google copyright material into other files such as MP3. The big four record companies have been increasingly putting pressure on YouTube and Google to step up their efforts to block these sites from being able to essentially get free music. The Recording Industry Association of America released a “report card” in December 2011 that essentially tracked how well Google blocks copyrighted material from conversion sites.
Google finally started taking the record companies seriously as the tech giant could have easily been sued by the RIAA due to slow action against the conversion sites which ultimately costs the record companies money because people can just download the songs for free.
Google has long been a fighter for open internet and against government censorship. Unfortunately, there is a limit to the openness that it can be.
In other big tech news, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) recently announced that they will be entering the tablet market which is dominated by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google. However, Microsoft appears to have solid corporate support for the tablet coming out of the gates which could be worrisome for Apple in particular. Google has Android in its tool shed which is a great brand and certainly has taken share away from Apple. However, it will be interesting to see if this is Microsoft’s reemergence as a tech power. Unfortunately, the recent news out of Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) doesn’t help out the Windows Phone but this new tablet could help prepare Microsoft for a much needed comeback.
The good news if you’re a Google supporter or shareholder is that in recent years, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has been able to fight off Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), for the most part. Google has a lot of cash and resources at its disposal that it can use if suddenly they fall behind and need to revamp themselves.
The bottom line is that Google can finally start to get the RIAA off their back. As threats still loom ahead, Google is in a great position to continue producing strong results that could outpace competitors.
