Google is facing a number of potential copyright infringement claims around the globe, following its recent acquisition of the video sharing site 'YouTube' for a reported $1.65 billion.
For those of you unfamiliar with YouTube, it is a website which allows website users to upload video content, which may then be viewed by other visitors to the site. Searches of the site reveal that a large amount of copyright content is currently available for download, including clips of TV shows and music videos.
Prior to the Google takeover, YouTube was described by various commentators as an organisation which did not generate profit, and a perceived lack of funds may have discouraged third parties from seeking a remedy against it for copyright infringement. In contrast, Google is clearly a significant financial target, which has resulted in action being initiated in the US following the takeover, to add to action which was underway in Japan.
Google will, no doubt, have been made aware by their legal advisors of the potential volume of copyright infringement it might find itself liable for by purchasing YouTube, and Google is reported to be in licensing talks with a number of major copyright owners. The speed with which the copyright infringement cases have come to the fore does, however, highlight the importance of undertaking appropriate intellectual property due diligence.
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