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YouTube Removes 30,000 Video Files on Japanese Entertainment Industry Demand
Popular online video-sharing service YouTube removed from its site nearly 30,000 video files following a copyright infringement complaint from the Japan Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers. The Society, which represents 23 Japanese TV stations and entertainment companies, found 29,549 video clips of television shows, music videos and movies posted on the site without permission. The Society requested the removal of the content, and YouTube quickly complied.
YouTube’s policy is to remove infringing clips after receiving a complaint, although it has stated that it cannot track which videos are pirated and has drawn complaints from copyright owners in the past. YouTube has previously agreed to deploy audio-signature technology designed to allow it to spot unauthorized low-quality copies of authorized clips. The Society has indicated that it may ask YouTube to implement further steps to prevent postings of copyrighted clips, for instance a preliminary screening process.
Some reports have suggested that the announced $1.65 billion acquisition of YouTube by deep-pocketed Google may make the startup a more likely target for copyright infringement lawsuits. However, YouTube has reached agreements with several copyright holders allowing copyrighted video content to be posted on the site, and is reported to be engaged in negotiations with other copyright holders.
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