Google outlines defence in YouTube lawsuit

Google has outlined its defence in the copyright lawsuit by Viacom against Google's video sharing site YouTube.

In papers filed Tuesday with the US District Court in New York, the web-search giant said that the popular video clip site was protected by the Digital Millenium Copyright Act that provides a 'careful balance' between the rights of copyright owners and hosting providers.

In its 1-billion-dollar lawsuit, entertainment conglomerate Viacom claims that that Google 'appropriates the value of creative content on a massive scale for YouTube's benefit without payment or license' and that YouTube and Google 'actively engage in, promote and induce' copyright infringement.

But Google claimed that YouTube goes 'above and beyond what the law requires' by limiting the videos to 10 minutes in length and taking down videos after being alerted that they are in violation of copyright.

'By seeking to make carriers and hosting providers liable for internet communications, Viacom's complaint threatens the way hundreds of millions of people legitimately exchange information, news, entertainment, and political and artistic expression,' Google said.

Google requested that Viacom's case be dismissed with prejudice, and that the defendants should receive costs and 'further relief.' If the matter does go to trial, Google is demanding it be heard by a jury.
Source :http://tech.monstersandcritics.com