Labels, Artists Target YouTube in Germany Over Copyrights

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2009 - 11:45am.

*A correction was made to this story.

Hamburg, Germany - Google and YouTube face a copyright-related investigation in Germany, after a group of independent labels, publishers and artists filed complaints against the companies, Billboard reported. Parties to the complaints include labels Highball Music and Coconut Music; publishers Gerig Musikverlage, Bishop Songs and Musikverlag Progressive; and artists including soprano Sarah Brightman.

The complaints say that YouTube has been distributing unauthorized content since launching in Germany in late 2007, and has failed to pay royalties since April of this year.

They also seek to have the German court seek assistance from the U.S. in forcing YouTube to reveal the identities of German uploaders of copyrighted material.

"YouTube works closely with many thousands of copyright holders worldwide to make sure that they can manage their rights on our video platform," a Hamburg-based Google spokesman told Billboard.

"Our state-of-the-art Content ID tools go beyond what the law recommends by empowering rights holders to block, authorize or monetize their videos on YouTube in a way that is simple and straightforward."

*Correction: This story initially stated that a lawsuit had been filed against YouTube. Under German law, "complaints" have been lodged, and as a result, an investigation has been launched, but no lawsuit has been filed.

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/su9xd (Billboard)