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