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YouTube Must Give All User Histories To Viacom

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the stay-classy-viacom dept.

psyopper writes "Google will have to turn over every record of every video watched by YouTube users, including users' names and IP addresses, to Viacom, which is suing Google for allowing clips of its copyright videos to appear on YouTube, a judge ruled Wednesday. Although Google argued that turning over the data would invade its users' privacy, the judge's ruling (.pdf) described that argument as 'speculative' and ordered Google to turn over the logs on a set of four terabyte hard drives." Update: 07/03 18:05 GMT by T : Brian Aker, now of MySQL but long ago Slashdot's "database thug," writes a journal entry on how companies could intelligently treat such potentially sensitive user data.

3 of 778 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Tagged "fuckviacom" by sm62704 · · Score: 5, Informative

    OK, I'm back. There's no way to say it nice, so I'll not mince words - the summary is inflamatory garbage. TFA says

    Viacom wants the data to prove that infringing material is more popular than user-created videos, which could be used to increase Google's liability if it is found guilty of contributory infringement.

    It doesn't say why Viacom needs user names; maybe I haven't had enough coffee yet, but TFA is pretty light on details too, and since IANAL reading the ruling won't do me much more good than a lawyer reading uncommented source code.

    TFA says the EFF is getting involved.

    --
    mcgrew's razor: Never attribute to stupidity that which can be explained by greedy self-interest
  2. Viaccom Brands to avoid by IronWilliamCash · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here's the list of all the brands you now want to avoid because Viacom is being a bitch.

    media networks,bet networks,bet,bet j,mtv networks, atomfilms, addictinggames, cmt, comedy central, gametrailers, harmonix, logo, mtv, mtv2, mtvn international, mtvu, mtv tr3s, neopets, nickelodeon - nick jr., nick at nite, noggin, parentsconnect, quizilla, rhapsody, shockwave, spike tv, the n, tv land, vh1, vh1 classic, vh1 soul, virtual worlds, xfire, filmed entertainment, paramount pictures corp, paramount pictures, dreamworks studios, paramount vantage, mtv films, nickelodeon movies, home entertainment, global reach, brand index

  3. Re:Protective Order by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here are some details about the Hon. Louis L Stanton:

    http://www1.nysd.uscourts.gov/judge_info.php?id=31

    It provides some ways to contact him (including a phone number) for those who might want to share their displeasure over his ruling.