Reuters: Viacom demands YouTube pull down videos:
“Viacom Inc. (VIAb.N: Quote, Profile , Research) has demanded that Google Inc.’s online video service YouTube pull down all of its video clips after they failed to reach an agreement, the company said.
About 100,000 video clips from Viacom-owned properties including MTV Networks and BET has been asked to be removed (sic).
Viacom said its pirated programs on YouTube generate about 1.2 billion video streams, based on a study from an outside consultant”
UPDATE: Well, that was fast. Google is taking down the Viacom videos from YouTube. Says a YouTube spokesperson:
“It’s unfortunate that Viacom will no longer be able to benefit from YouTube’s passionate audience, which has helped to promote many of Viacom’s shows,”
Aside: Can you imagine the expense in having to prove ownership of 100,000 videos? Can you imagine having to pay damages for 100,000 acts of infringement?