Universal Music Group May File Copyright Suit Against Video Site YouTube

[mandy]

Universal Music chief blasts YouTube, MySpace over copyrights

Universal Music Group CEO Doug Morris said the wildly popular Web sites YouTube and MySpace are violating copyright laws by allowing users to post music videos and other content involving Universal artists.

"We believe these new businesses are copyright infringers and owe us tens of millions of dollars," Morris told investors Wednesday at a conference in Pasadena.

"How we deal with these companies will be revealed shortly," he said.

Universal's talks with YouTube Inc. have deteriorated and the recording giant is set to file a copyright infringement lawsuit against the San Mateo-based company if no agreement is reached by the end of the month, according to a person familiar with the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the confidential nature of the negotiations...

full article: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercuryne...520315.htm

[mandy]

Murky Waters

It's not clear, however, to what extent MySpace, YouTube or other sites would be held responsible for any copyright violations, with end-users who are directly responsible said to be in the most legal jeopardy.

Still, YouTube and MySpace need only look as far as peer-to-peer file sharing sites that have been aggressively pursued, and in many cases shut down, by the music and movie industries in recent years, for evidence that they could come under fire, as well.

The social networking sites may have a better chance of becoming allies of the entertainment industry, however. With strong user bases already in place, they may offer the best platform for legally distributing music and video.

Indeed, in some ways, Universal would be breaking away from the entertainment industry if it targets the sites, which are seen as key marketing channels where consumers, especially the key youth demographic, can learn about new artists and new products from their peers...

full article: http://ecommercetimes.com/story/D3BFxkyi...-Ire.xhtml