Viacom sued over YouTube clip takedown

Cory Bergman March 22nd, 2007

MoveOn and Brave New Films are suing Viacom for issuing a takedown order to YouTube to remove a parody of The Colbert Report. The video contained clips of the actual show, but Moveon and Brave New Films argued that it’s covered under fair use provisions. “People just shoot off a takedown notice without really giving a second thought to the material being taken down and whether it’s really proper to be taken down,” said Corynne McSherry, a staff attorney with the EFF, who helped file the lawsuit. “A lot of people cave in because they don’t realize they can push back or they can’t afford to push back.” The lawsuit seeks unspecified legal costs and damages.