Media giant Viacom, the parent company of networks like MTV, Comedy Central and the Cartoon Network, put the smack down today suing Google and YouTube for “massive intentional copyright infringement.” Viacom has been fighting with YouTube for some time over clips of Viacom programs and shows that end up on the site, and is now asking for $1 billion in damages. As we all know, Google bought YouTube recently for 1.65 billion, so $1 billion isn't exactly chump change. Here's more:
Viacom accused the video-sharing Web site of “exploiting the devotion of fans to others’ creative work in order to enrich itself.” It added: “There is no question that YouTube and Google are continuing to take the fruit of our efforts without permission and destroying enormous value in the process.”
The lawsuit is the latest scuffle between YouTube and Viacom. Last month, Viacom demanded that YouTube remove more than 100,000 clips of its programming. YouTube complied, and in some cases posted a disclaimer that read: “removed at the request of Viacom International” where Viacom material once was.
Viacom said 160,000 clips of its programming have been available on YouTube and that they had been viewed more than 1.5 billion times. Somewhere, Austin Powers is getting really excited about the return of the "1 billion dollars."
Carvela
Luella
Gianvito Rossi
From what I've seen, most people use YouTube to rewatch something they saw on TV or in a movie, not to replace a whole show or movie. Ultimately, wouldn't that bring more revenue to Viacom by upping the buzz they're getting?
1Although YouTube is the biggest out there, there are hundreds of file and video sharing sites out there. Those clips, videos and movies are out there, people can access them anytime, what good would taking a BILLION dollars from you tube be? Would they then go after every single other place where these videos and clips are? So retarded.
2oh come on... i dont even watch shows on you tube. sometimes i watch music videos, but mostly i just look at stupid funny videos
3I don't own a tv, so when I watch something on you-tube it's usually a clip of a show that is generating a lot of talk, or something like grammy performances. I also usually only watch clips that I've been directed to from other websites like popsugar and other blogs. I don't search you-tube for tv shows and sit and watch them all day, as this would defeat the point of not owning a tv in the first place. But like someone else mentioned, people who watch things on you-tube are most likely re-watching a clip from a show they've already seen. No harm done in my opinion.
4This kinda sucks. But I agree w/ KSC - youtube is like free advertising for MTV, Comedy Central, etc. People watch clips & then tune in to watch the full program!
5why don't they learn from NBC and join youtube?
6****"Everything in life is only for now."-Avenue Q****
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