Viacom Loses $1 Billion Case Against YouTube

June 25. 2010

Viacom has lost its copyright infringement case against video site YouTube. The judge stated the massive website did not violate Viacom's copyrights. Though, the Judiciary Report is no fan of Hollywood (i.e. Sony, Warner Bros., Universal ect), as they are horrible, unconscionable thieves themselves, with all due respect, the judge's decision is very flawed and illegal, as it strikes down the Copyright Act, Digital Millennium Act and the Berne Convention, with no legislative authority to do so. 

The U.S. Copyright Act has a "Fair Use" clause that permits people to use the copyrights of others under certain circumstances, but there are limits. For example, one can use published photos or excerpts of articles to discuss a news event, as that is permitted. However, one cannot take another's whole copyrighted works and exploit them for financial gain without permission. That is completely illegal under U.S. and international law.

The Judiciary Report loves YouTube, as it is a great, entertaining website, when it is in compliance with the law, streaming videos that are furnished with the consent of the copyright holder.

However, the fact remains, on any given day, one can find illegally uploaded songs, movies and television shows, in their entirety on YouTube, posted without the consent of the copyright holder, eliminating the need to buy them at official outlets. That has got to stop. It defeats the purpose of having a Copyright or Copyright Office.

If it continues, all the labels and studios will simply close and there will be no entertainment, as they are not going to do this for free, having no revenue to pay staff and underwrite the necessary production and marketing costs. That judge's decision needs to be tossed like Britney Spears' bad weave.

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