Viacom YouTube lawsuit "threatens internet freedom"

One billion dollar case could have repercussions, says Google

YouTube Case Threatens Web Freedom 0

27 May 2008 11:03 GMT / By Katie Scott

It's been rumbling on since March last year, and now the legal battle between Viacom and Google looks set to get even nastier.

Last spring, Viacom launched a $1bn case against Google accusing its website YouTube of massive copyright infringement.

It argued that almost 160,000 unauthorised clips of Viacom’s programming have been available on YouTube and that these clips had been viewed more than 1.5 billion times.

In July last year, as the lawyers shuffled papers, Google responded that it was working on checking technology that would make sure that copyrighted material was removed straight away.

But now, Viacom has rewritten its case and is going after the $1bn declaring that Google has done "little or nothing" to stop infringement since the case was first filed.

Viacom says: "The availability on the YouTube site of a vast library of the copyrighted works of plaintiffs and others is the cornerstone of defendants' business plan".

Earlier this month Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone told Dow Jones: "When we filed this lawsuit, we not only served our own interests, we served the interests of everyone who owns copyrights they want protected".

"We cannot tolerate any form of piracy by anyone, including YouTube ... they cannot get away with stealing our products."

Google has hit back saying that the case "threatens the way hundreds of millions of people legitimately exchange information" over the web.

Google also says that YouTube "goes far beyond its legal obligations in assisting content owners to protect their works".

And it's ready for a legal battle.

Google's vice president of content partnerships David Eun has said: "We're going all the way to the Supreme Court. We've very clear about it".



Comments

  • Having stuff on YouTube is free advertising. I've seen plenty of copyrighted clips then thought I'll go and buy the DVD's. Posted by Colin, UK
  • Colin. You're a clot Posted by Dougie, UK
  • sometimes i have seen a pilot for a program or an episode, i have then gained an interest and subscribed to a particular channel with sky etc to watch it....

    i think it benefits some companines...

    Posted by Danny, ireland
  • No, we have to crack down on this. Piracy funds terrorism. Youtube is clearly responsible for terrorist attacks and Google must be in cahoots with the Iraquies. Posted by Luke, UK
  • Well they're in for a major payday because if google is prosecuted this principle applies to TiVo, DVD, Sky Plus and VHS casettes (etc.) too. Posted by 80s, UK
  • Dougie, you're a muppit. Posted by Rob, US
  • Rather than working against Google, Viacom should try working with them to find a middle ground that is mutually beneficial to both parties. Like... allowing for certain clips of Viacoms' shows to be shown that are both amusing and give advertising for the shows and when they can be seen. The big companies just need to get used to the fact that this is a society where people want a quick, cheap (preferably free) laugh. Posted by Stewart, UK
  • Pro-piracy and proud. Go youtube. But if your sick of watching the latest lost in about a million different parts try youku.com or toudu.com

    The sites are both in mandarin for those that can't read hanzi but if you type an episode in English you'll get whatever episode your looking for in full.

    Man if viacom knew that Youku.com passed about 3 petabytes of data a day and they had every tv show viacom was affiliated with they would be going maaad.

    "piracy supports terroriism". stewart, theres no point doing half a job. You might as well rip them off at full price.

    piratebay.org have been getting away with it for long enough and there the reason I have a terabyte of TV shows/movies

    yayyyy!
    Posted by hunting now, UK
  • Who cares, the internet blows anyway.
    I hope the entire interney goes away like a nasty dream.
    Wouldn't bother me in the least.
    Posted by Thozman, USA
  • Viacom is owned by Satan. Why wouldn't they go after Google? I am betting Viacom wins this. Get ready to say good bye to free and unrestricted information flow on the Internet. The government, also owned by Satan, will start controlling everything from here on out. It's Biblical prophesy and should come as no surprise to anyone out there. Posted by John Miller, USA
  • "No, we have to crack down on this. Piracy funds terrorism. Youtube is clearly responsible for terrorist attacks and Google must be in cahoots with the Iraquies."
    Luke, UK
    That is the dumbest comment I think I have ever read. Clearly you need to take a look around and see what the world is really like.
    Viacom makes so much money its probably unfathomable, plus having the shows on youtube only helps them in the end. Once people see a small poor quality video of something, if they like it they will go buy it on dvd/Blueray.
    Posted by allthingscoming, US/CA

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