In September 2006, the same group won a judgment against a peer-to-peer filing service, StreamCast Networks.
The National Music Publishers' Association this week joined a class action lawsuit alleging that YouTube and its parent company Google have committed massive copyright infringement.
The group announced Monday that it is rallying along with the Football Association Premier League Limited and others in the suit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
"Copyrighted music is a huge draw for YouTube's users," the NMPA said in a prepared statement. "This music can be found in many of YouTube's clips, in both pre-existing commercial content and videos."
A spokesperson with Google was surprised and disappointed that the NMPA has elected to take this route.
"We have concluded historic licensing agreements with several NMPA members and have been in licensing discussions with others," Google Managing Litigation Counsel, Michael Kwun said. "Many song writers and music publishers view YouTube as a promising promotional platform for connecting with their fans and as a unique revenue opportunity. "
NMPA President and CEO David M. Israelite said the group is "very concerned about YouTube's approach to copyright."
"We are joining the lawsuit to protect the interests of music publishers and songwriters, whose creative works are being used without permission or compensation by YouTube, he said."
The NMPA is a music publishing industry trade association promotes and advances the interests of music publishers and their songwriting partners, while fostering a business creative and financial growth for more than 600 members. It was established in 1917, and is active globally in terms of protecting copyrights.
In September 2006, the group won a judgment against a peer-to-peer filing service, StreamCast Networks.
The Football Association Premier League, a British soccer division with an estimated 2.6 billion spectators, filed the lawsuit against YouTube in May. The lawsuit is one of many that Google and YouTube are currently defending.
Source:www.informationweek.com
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