Internet Television company Veoh is suing Universal Music Group in federal court to reinforce its rights as a copyright complaint company under the safe harbor provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
“It is unfortunate that UMG prefers to take actions that are designed to stifle innovation, shut down new markets and maintain the status quo instead of working to change and evolve models for today and the future,” said Steve Mitgang, CEO of Veoh Networks.
NewTeeVee is reporting that Veoh had requested UMG to provide them with a list of content that was infringing so the company could take it down. Mitgang said,” “We are happy to comply with their requests but Universal threatened us with lawsuits.”
Veoh’s court action seeks a declaration that it has not infringed UMG’s copyrights, and that Veoh complies with the copyright laws. Veoh maintains that it is protected under the DMCA from any claims brought by UMG.
UMG has been involved in similar cases including one with YouTube before Google purchased them but negotiated for a stock deal worth around $50 million but did not share any of that revenue with the artists it says it wants to protect.
Veoh is working with the MPAA and content holders to implement technologies that include filtering and compliance tools for copyright holders. Adds Mitgang, “we are disappointed that we were forced to take this action, and consistent with our policy, are prepared to respond when and if UMG provides us with DMCA notice.”
