Viacom Concedes to Fair Use on YouTube

After pulling non-infringing clips from YouTube, including those protected by fair use, Viacom relents on this particular Stephen Colbert parody after being sued by the EFF.

Viacom used the DMCA to pull down more than 100,000 clips, but the Electronic Frontier Foundation complained that the takedown had included those clips that are allowed under fair use – including the Colbert parody. Viacom is also setting up an “email hotline” for those who have their clips pulled without merit. Viacom’s release today, meanwhile, was along the lines of “woulda been nice if you’d sent a letter before suing us”. (Essentially that the case wouldn’t have happened if the EFF had been more communicative beforehand.)

Riiight. Like Viacom would listen unless they were sued. Now let’s see them restore all those clips they pulled with no Viacom content whatsoever. Remember that frivolous DMCA takedowns carry legal consquences.

While they’re at it, they should drop that ridiculous lawsuit against Google.