Mediaset SpA Italy’s largest private broadcaster, said Wednesday it has filed a lawsuit for at least EUR500 million against Google’s YouTube for the unlawful use of the Italian company’s audio and video files.
Mediaset’s legal action is the latest in a string of other copyright and trademark lawsuits, which analysts see as eventually weighing on Google’s earnings.
In a statement, Mediaset said it filed the suit against Google and its video- sharing unit YouTube in a Rome court.
The Milan-based company, owned by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, said it is seeking at least EUR500 million in damages and will also seek compensation for missed advertising revenue due to unauthorized use of its files.
Mediaset said it found “at least 4,643 videos and clips owned by us, equivalent to more than 325 hours of transmission without having rights” on YouTube in a simple analysis June 10.
It said this was equal to the loss of 315,672 days of broadcasting on its three TV channels.
YouTube said Wednesday it respected copyright holders and didn’t see any need for the legal case launched by Mediaset.
“YouTube respects copyright holders and takes copyright issues very seriously, ” said a company spokesperson. “There is no need for legal action and all the associated costs.”
some analysts noted higher legal costs could affect Google’s earnings for some time to come.
“YouTube said Wednesday it respected copyright holders and didn’t see any need for the legal case launched by Mediaset.’
Why didn’t John Zuccarini think of this!
Yes, the Viacom battle probably has taught them a lesson or two. Nevertheless, the internet is still uncharted territory with fewer rules. Lawsuits like this, regardless of the outcome, surely push the internet towards more regulation. I’m interested to see what battles like this will collectively do to the future of the internet.Yes, the Viacom battle probably has taught them a lesson or two. Nevertheless, the internet is still uncharted territory with fewer rules. Lawsuits like this, regardless of the outcome, surely push the internet towards more regulation. I’m interested to see what battles like this will collectively do to the future of the internet.
What a world – dog it’s dog.
Ups my mistake it is dog eats dog
I wonder if the fact that the owner is the Prime Minister would have any impact on the outcome. This is a difficult subject, Nearly the entire web is based on passing the responsibility to the individual users to follow the guidelines. Youtube is only guilty of being one of the largest ones out there. If they are held reliable for the contents users post then the future of the Web as we know it could be in Jeopardy.