In a massive move to curb piracy, the ubiquitous YouTube audio ripping website, youtube-mp3.org will be shut down indefinitely, after a copyright infringement lawsuit, filed by several major record labels (including Warner Music Group, Sony Music, and UMG) last year, reached a private settlement agreement, which also includes an undisclosed payment.
Called the world’s largest audio ripping website, YouTube-mp3.org allowed users to convert YouTube videos into downloadable MP3 audio files, and was responsible for nearly 40% of all illegal audio ripping. According to the claim, 304 songs were illegally ripped using the website, including Zedd’s “Clarity,” Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” and Missy Elliott’s “Get Ur Freak On”, and the labels now seek damages of $150,000 for each instance of proven copyright infringement.
The website has now become unaccessible, and trying to access the web address shows a ‘This site can’t be reached’ message.
H/T: Verge