TF1 loses copyright case against YouTube in French court
updated 01:58 pm EDT, Wed May 30, 2012
French channel to pay Google legal costs but may appeal
Courts in France have sided with YouTube in its copyright fight with French TV channel TF1. The Tribunal de Grande Instance heard from TF1 that users of YouTube uploaded clips of films and sports that the channel had rights to, with an expectation of €141 million ($176 million) in damages, but instead chose to rule in favor of the Google-owned video site. TF1 has been ordered to pay $99,000 in legal fees to Google, but is considering appealing, writes The New York Times.
TF1 demanded that YouTube filter all uploaded content before posting it to the site, to remove any and all copyrighted material. YouTube already runs its own system called Content ID, which identifies copyrighted materials and enables the owner to choose between making money from the videos, tracking views, or blocking the content from the site.
Other courts in similar cases have ruled against YouTube, including one started by German royalty collection group GEMA. A lawsuit by Viacom, dismissed due to the “safe harbor” provision that protected Google, is being revisited after it was reviewed by the 2nd US Court of Appeals.
