Andre Yoskowitz
3 Jul 2008 23:47
The Big 4 record label EMI has sued 12 video sites including the social-networking site Hi5 and the video advertising start-up VideoEgg, claiming copyright infringement on hundreds of EMI's music videos.
The label wants $150,000 USD for each song infringed as well as lawyer fees. EMI also wants all the sites shut down for good.
"Defendant VideoEgg purports to offer technology and services that allow users, through websites operated by VideoEgg's 'partners' to upload digital videos to VideoEgg servers, view those videos, and then distribute them virally and for free over the Internet...Among the videos copied, publically performed, and distributed by VideoEgg, Hi5, and/or their users are videos containing Plaintiffs's sound recordings and musical compositions," reads the complaint.
The lawsuit did not add much about the 10 other sites.
Sources have said that Hi5 and EMI have been trying to work out a content deal for over a year but efforts have fallen through.
"We are disappointed that EMI is pursuing legal action when the law provided clear means to address their concerns," VideoEgg said in a statement. "We have always complied with the copyright laws and are entitled to safe harbor under the DMCA from any claims brought by EMI." VideoEgg also says it never once received a takedown notice from EMI and would have taken down the videos had they received one.