Case Studies

Viacom
Viacom: Downplaying fair-use rights led to a lawsuit and media firestorm for Viacom. The company sent Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) cease-and-desist letters to YouTube in early 2007 demanding the removal of thousands of video clips that it claimed were infringing on its copyrighted material. Some of the clips taken down, including one produced by MoveOn.org, were making fair use of copyrighted material for activities such as political commentary and parody. Viacom conceded that it had erred in issuing the DMCA notice regarding MoveOn's video and agreed to set up a Web site and email "hotline" promising to review any complaints within one business day and reinstate the video if the takedown request was improper. However, many users and online video enthusiasts remain bitter at the company for its actions.