Viacom defends itself over YouTube data log disclosure

[Bill Andad]

Following on from my posting two days ago, the EFF is reporting that Viacom has issued a statement regarding the US court ruling over disclosure of those YouTube video viewing logs. Here is the statement in full:

It is unfortunate that we have been compelled to go to court to protect Viacom's rights and the rights of the artists who work with and depend on us. YouTube and Google have put us in this position by continuing to defend their illegal and irresponsible conduct and profiting from copyright infringement, when they could be implementing the safe and legal user generated content experience they promise.

The Court's recent decision has triggered concern about what information will be disclosed and how it will be used. Viacom has not asked for and will not be obtaining any personally identifiable information of any user. Any information that we or our outside advisors obtain -- which will not include personally identifiable information -- will be used exclusively for the purpose of proving our case against You Tube and Google, will be handled subject to a court protective order and in a highly confidential manner.

[Techwriter10]

It seems to me that it's Viacom that is being irresponsible and possibly illegal here. What possible grounds could they have for going on such a wholesale fishing expedition that they have to see the logs including user information. Why would they need to see user information at all? More importantly, what could that judge have possibly been thinking?

My proposal is this: If Viacom doesn't want to deal with Google, give them what they want and strike them from the Google index. That would teach them a tough lesson indeed. At any rate, this whole thing has clearly gone way too far and both parties need to take a step back and do the right thing by YouTube's users.