YouTube is involved in another showdown this time with media giant Viacom who is demanding that the video sharing site remove over 100,000 clips that are owned and licensed by the media company.
Viacom issued a statement that said,” “Filtering tools promised repeatedly by YouTube and Google have not been put in place, and they continue to host and stream vast amounts of unauthorized video. YouTube and Google retain all of the revenue generated from this practice, without extending fair compensation to the people who have expended all of the effort and cost to create it. The recent addition of YouTube-served content to Google Video Search simply compounds this issue.”
Last year, Viacom requested that YouTube remove a whole host of copyrighted clips and the company complied. Soon after more copyrighted clips were back on the site. It’s not clear why YouTube has failed to implement the promised filtering technology.
Some broadcasting companies like CBS have had success promoting their content on YouTube and have been able to reach an agreement that has increased viewership. Viacom, YouTube and Google have not been able to reach a similar agreement.
Viacom said,” virtually every other distributor has acknowledged the fair value of entertainment content and has taken deliberate steps to concluding agreements with content providers.”
Mike Fricklas, Viacom’s general council told the Mercury News that the company agrees that there is value in reaching YouTube’s audience but they were taking a “zero tolerance” approach after sending YouTube thousands of takedown notices.
“We are asking to get paid,” Fricklas said. “Our content is very valuable and we think that has obviously contributed to YouTube’s growth and to Google.”
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Mike is a staff writer for murdok. Visit murdok for the latest ebusiness news.
