Google ordered to hand over YouTube data

by Andrew McCormick, Media Week 04-Jul-08, 10:00

LONDON - Google-owned video-sharing site YouTube has been ordered to provide Viacom with details of its entire user base, so that the MTV Networks owner can use it as evidence to support its argument in the legal battle between the two firms.

A US judge has ruled that YouTube user details, including those of its 11.4 million-strong UK monthly users, must be provided to Viacom.

Viacom holds Google responsible for broadcasting copyrighted footage on YouTube without permission. Google claims it is not responsible for the content posted on the website.

Viacom, the parent company of MTV, filed a $1bn (£505m) lawsuit against the video-sharing site last March.

Google denies that YouTube infringes content owners' copyright, arguing that it removes copyrighted videos from the site when asked by content owners.

The ruling has ignited yet another debate about internet privacy, following questions surrounding search engines' use of data and protests against advertising firms partnering with broadband suppliers to offer targeted ads.