San Francisco - Digital civil liberties group the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has sued Universal Music Publishing Group, after the company ordered a home video removed from YouTube that showed a baby dancing to a clip of Prince's song "Let's Go Crazy."

Stephanie Lenz told the EFF she posted the 29-second video of her son Holden to share with family and friends.

The EFF says in its lawsuit that Lenz's video -- which has since been reposted on YouTube -- makes "fair use" of the copyrighted song, and asks a judge to declare the video is not an infringement.

It also seeks damages and injunctive relief restraining Universal from bringing further claims in connection with the video.

"Copyright abuse can shut down online artists, political analysts, or -- as in this case -- ordinary families who simply want to share snippets of their day-to-day lives," said EFF staff attorney Marcia Hofmann.

"Universal must stop making groundless infringement claims that trample on fair use and free speech."

Related Links:
http://www.eff.org/news/archives/2007_07.php#005376

http://www.eff.org/legal/cases/lenz_v_universal/lenz_complaint_final.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1KfJHFWlhQ (Lenz's video)