Google: Viacom Secretly Uploaded to YouTube
And then sued Google for copyright infringement.
Court documents made public on Thursday reveal that Google is accusing Viacom of secretly uploading videos to YouTube. Viacom originally sued YouTube for $1 billion back in March 2007 for copyright infringement, nearly six months after Google purchased the infamous video website for $1.65 billion.
But according to Reuters, the documents surrounding the Viacom Vs. YouTube lawsuit point the fingers to several of Viacom's managers and agencies, claiming that not only did they continue to upload the material in question, but purposely left many videos untouched that were uploaded by YouTube users.
"Executives as high up as the president of Comedy Central and the head of MTV Networks felt "very strongly" that clips from shows like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report should remain on YouTube," said YouTube Chief Counsel Zahavah Levine.
But Viacom sees it differently, stating that Google and YouTube used the content to "explosively" build the user base and become the dominant video website on the Internet. "Google and YouTube were not just innocent and unwitting accomplices to infringement perpetrated by YouTube users," Viacom said in the court documents.
The case is currently underway in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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Viacom then added, "we plan to go after those fucking hard drive manufacturers next - obviously, the only reason people need TB+ disks is to store OUR copyrighted works. Therefore, all the profits from those disks are ours."
The sad part is, it's a silly lawsuit that more than likely started by 2 guys saying:
"I got a pay cut again"
"Me too, let's sue youtube lulz"
The hypocrisy of the members of the MPAA knows no limit.
I'm obviously going to stop watching South Park on TV, because I see a few clips on YouTube, its just common sense. /Sarcasm
So Viacom uploads their movies to YouTube then sues YouTube for having said movies? Wow. Wicked.
Someday any post (be it videos, comments ...) will have to be digitally signed. That's the path we're taking.
Um... the whole point is they already are digitally signed. How do you think Google figured out that Viacom and Viacom agents uploaded the allegedly copyright violating content? You think Viacom admitted that?
What comes next is the vexatious litigant lawsuit against RIAA. GO GOOGLE!
This is something Viacom would do. They have proven in the past that they can be a d***.
Another fine mess! The article makes it sound like Google is claiming Viacom set them up for a lawsuit.
Take that viacom. Purporposely setting up a 4 hour erection on YouTube! How dare they. What they don't make Viagra? To hell with viacom then!
Things are changing so fast in the world there is no way I expect youtube to have to offer up any money.
What these companies run by old people don't understand is that people don't want to consume content the old way anymore. There is a new paradigm and that is to consume content when and how YOU want. Unless a company is willing to offer their content to stream online they are missing out on big ad revenue's and should not complain if people upload to youtube.
I wonder why MTV's shows never get put on youtube?? Oh that's right they offer them on their website (with commercials) almost right after they originally air. (wait a sec aren't they owned by viacom? that's f'ed up)
Why would I want to pay for cable? I pay $50/month and I only get basics and a few simple movie channels (but the important stuff like Spike, Space etc.).
I only even watch television a couple hours a week now. Why when I can read toms?
So Viacom uploads their movies to YouTube then sues YouTube for having said movies? Wow. Wicked.
Well that is the claim, it's not proven yet. Lot's a crap flies around when lawyers are involved, and don't forget that Google must protect its own image here. It would not surprise me if it was true though.
Ah, the endless capacity of lawyers to seek out new revenue streams for themselves and their clients.
they set up us the bomb
wake the hell up Viagracom. If your the best your the best. LONG LIVE YOUTUBE
Can you say "Evil genius"???
That's what these jews do. They are dastardly.
Talk about wanting your cake and eating it too.
It's not just the uploading of videos so that they could sue, it goes well beyond that.
It's uploading the videos so you get free advertising, it's uploading your videos so you get free press when you decide to sue, it's uploading the videos to boost ratings and viewership.
So now instead of thanking Youtube, you turn around and sue them. Great plan, too bad it's coming back to bite them now.
Except that barely anyone watches TV shows on youtube.