Google's Blog Crackdown Continues

Blogger Bill Lipold of I Rock Cleveland Responds

As they did last year, Google has without warning deleted a number of established music blogs hosted on its Blogger service this week.

In an email sent to I Rock Cleveland, Pop Tarts, Masala, To Die By Your Side, It's a Rap, Living Ears and perhaps others, Google said that it had been sent multiple copyright infringement notices from record labels. Each blogger awoke to find years of posts deleted and a notice from Google's Blogger team, “We'd like to inform you that we've received another complaint regarding your blog." said Google. “Upon review of your account, we've noted that your blog has repeatedly violated Blogger's Terms of Service. Given that we've provided you with several warnings of these violations and advised you of our policy towards repeat infringers, we've been forced to remove your blog. Thank you for your understanding."

“I do admit, I've been accused of infringement before, but in each and every case it happened after posting an mp3 pre-cleared by a label or pr-firm," I Rock Cleveland blogger Bill Lipold tells Hypebot. “The IFPI, acting unknown to the label, would find me a couple months later and file a claim. I've highlighted a few such instances here.“

“I like to think that me and my blog, I Rock Cleveland, were one of the good guys.," continued Lipold. “I worked closely with labels and pr firms, being careful not to step on anyone's rights, careful not to post any audio which wasn't approved for promotional purposes. I provided news and reviews for a small, dedicated readership in Cleveland. I Rock Cleveland wasn't about free music or piracy, but about getting people to think about what they're listening to and exposing them to new sounds. Still, I got caught up in this mess."

But even the mighty Google can't stop Lipold from blogging about music. He's already back up and running at irockcleveland.com.