Google: Viacom's YouTube suit threatens freedom

[New Dawn]

Source: AP

Google: Viacom's YouTube suit threatens freedom

By LARRY NEUMEISTER, Associated Press Writer

1 hour, 14 minutes ago

NEW YORK - A $1 billion copyright infringement lawsuit challenging YouTube's ability to keep copyrighted material off its popular video-sharing site threatens how hundreds of millions of people exchange all kinds of information on the Internet, YouTube owner Google Inc. said.

Google's lawyers made the claim in papers filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan as the company responded to Viacom Inc.'s latest lawsuit alleging that the Internet has led to "an explosion of copyright infringement" by YouTube and others.

The back-and-forth between the companies has intensified since Viacom brought its lawsuit last year, saying it was owed damages for the unauthorized viewing of its programming from MTV, Comedy Central and other networks, including such hits as "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart."

In papers submitted to a judge late Friday, Google said YouTube "goes far beyond its legal obligations in assisting content owners to protect their works."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080526/ap_on_hi_te/youtube_lawsuit

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Fuck Viacom!

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. I don't know ........

This is going to be interesting. I think Viacom has a good case.

[Hissyspit]

2. Viacom may have a good case, but they are like the record companies...

Not understanding how the new digital networking world culture is going to work. Google has their own self-interests in mind here, make no mistake about that, but at the core of their argument, they are right. Ultimately Viacom may just be jockeying for negotiating position.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

3. I'm certain they understand all of it

These folks don't enter into anything without a real clear picture of what's going on. I just think it's an interesting legal question, one that's destined to make a kind of history in its deciding. I've been wondering how long YouTube could get away with it. The answer just came. Now, we can see what happens.