- Founded: 2006
- Ceased Operations: 2015
What did Grooveshark do?
Grooveshark was an online music streaming service that gained popularity in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Grooveshark offered a vast library of music tracks that users could stream for free. Grooveshark operated under a model where users could upload their own music files to the platform. This approach allowed for a wide variety of music to be available on the site, including songs that were not officially released or licensed.
Grooveshark pioneered social components of digital music including the listening-party format and playlist sharing.
Grooveshark received financial backing from a range of investors, including venture capital firms and individual investors. The funding allowed the company to develop its platform, expand its user base, and secure necessary licenses for music distribution. Some notable investors included EMI Group, Intel Capital, and Sumerian Partners.
Who started Grooveshark?
Sam Tarantino and Josh Greenberg started Grooveshark in Gainesville, Florida.
Why did Grooveshark go out of business?
Grooveshark faced legal challenges and copyright infringement allegations throughout its existence. Many record labels and artists claimed that the service violated copyright laws by allowing users to upload copyrighted material without permission.
After several years of legal battles, Grooveshark was forced to shut down its operations as part of a settlement agreement with major record labels. This marked the end of Grooveshark’s journey as a music streaming service.