Google will have to turn over every record of every video watched by YouTube users, including users' names and IP addresses, to Viacom, which is suing Google for allowing clips of its copyright videos to appear on YouTube, a judge ruled Wednesday.Viacom wants the data to prove that infringing material is more popular than user-created videos, which could be used to increase Google's liability if it is found guilty of contributory infringement.
Viacom filed suit against Google in March 2007, seeking more than $1 billion in damages for allowing users to upload clips of Viacom's copyright material. Google argues that the law provides a safe harbor for online services so long as they comply with copyright takedown requests.
Although Google argued that turning over the data would invade its users' privacy, the judge's ruling (.pdf) described that argument as "speculative" and ordered Google to turn over the logs on a set of four tera-byte hard drives.
View: Wired
unfortunately even if they file for a re-trail they'll still have to comply with the ruling in the time it takes to get the re-trile going. and you can bet they are going to sell it off to ad companies
Not necessarily. They can appeal the ruling.
"Dear Viacom
Due to the fact that precedent has been set, get bent. We can, however, provide links to all the currently hosted videos so you can inspect them for copyright infringement at your leisure. Should any videos infringe, let us know in the usual way so we can remove them. Until then, such fishing exercises will be given the respect they are due, i.e. none.
Love
YouTube."
1)Therefore, the cross-motion for a protective order is granted
and the motion to compel production of the search code is denied.2)Under the circumstances, the motion to compel production of copies of all removed videos is granted.
3)Therefore, the motion to compel production of all data from the Logging database concerning each time a YouTube video has been viewed on the YouTube website or through embedding on a third-party website is granted.
4)Therefore, the motion to compel production of the Google Video schema is granted.
Just wait till Viacom gives the RIAA your videos, and you get sued for infringement or unauthorized use of a song ><
It's about time, too. NOT that I agree all this data should be handed over but I'm a little tired of Google pretending to be an innocent victim of it's own technology.
Then again, people just keep coming back for more. Next it'll be Google Diary, a site where teenagers can upload their most private thoughts and feelings so Google can tailor ads to "enhance" those experiences.
Oh no, wait, that's Facebook!
Dang it, all the good ideas are already gone!
I know this sounds bad - but people in the tin-foil hats have been warning about this for years. I believe "told you so" is the most appropiate one-liner...
But the judge pointed to a famous Google blog post where the company says IP addresses don't always reveal real live people: "We are... strong supporters of the idea that data protection laws should apply to any data that could identify you," wrote Google software engineer Alma Whitten. "The reality though is that in most cases, an IP address without additional information cannot.
"Do No Evil" hey boys...
I just remember Viacom from this cheesey logo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1iF1h9vDh4...feature=related
If I was YouTube, I'd just tell the RIAA where they can stuff their court ruling and move operations to somewhere safe. Like Sealand. Places where the RIAA has no power.
Anyways, I have no doubt that the RIAA will fight this one all the way to the supreme court if Google appeals. Google is a big fish, and the RIAA desperately wants to reel them in.
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