Universal takes MySpace to court for Copyright Infringement

Universal Music Group yesterday dragged MySpace, a social-networking hub and one of the most popular sites on the Internet, to the court for copyright violations.

In a lawsuit, filed in a US district court in Los Angeles, Universal Music Group has claimed that MySpace is stimulating its users to share music and music videos in an illegal manner.

The major studios and record labels have long been criticizing MySpace and YouTube for violating the copyrights of their artists’ music and videos.

Distressed with the unauthorized use of artists in those sites, Universal Music chairman Doug Morris had previously highlighted the issue in the music industry by using an investor conference to criticize MySpace and YouTube. In which he had indicted them of being "copyright infringers" who "owe us tens of millions of dollars."

The suit, which also names News Corp., one of the world's largest media conglomerates that owns MySpace, comes as a part of Universal Music’s efforts to prevent its artists from copyright violations.

Universal, fully owned by French media conglomerate, Vivendi SA, claimed that MySpace is illegally allowing its users to post copyrighted songs and videos of Universal artists, without compensating those artists.

The suit also described MySpace as a "vast virtual warehouse" that illegally reproduces copyrighted material that does not fall under fair use. These copyrighted contents belong to some of label's popular artists, including Mariah Carey, Diana Krall, Eminem and U2.

The Santa Monica, California-based Universal claimed that the infringement has gripped all intellectual properties, even unreleased tracks like an American rap artist Jay-Z's forthcoming "Kingdom Come" is not safe from it.

Meanwhile, in a written statement released yesterday MySpace said it was working legally and was dutifully complying with copyright laws. The Santa Monica, California based social network service further said it does not "induce, encourage or condone" users for copyright violation.

MySpace argued that the site makes hard-core efforts to prevent the copyrighted material being published by its members. Last month, it has licensed a new technology from Gracenote to stop users from posting illegal copyright music and get rid of frequent infringers of its policy. Adding more to its anti-infringement efforts, MySpace yesterday announced a new tool that makes it easier and faster for content holders to eliminate any illegal material from the site.

Calling the suit filed by the media company "meritless" the social networking site said it was confident enough to prove its innocence and overcome in the court.

On the other hand, Universal alleged MySpace is fully aware of the violation, and making money as well by selling advertising to vast number of users to whom it attracted by offering free access to copyrighted material.

“Our music and videos play a key role in building the communities that have created hundreds of millions of dollars of value for the owners of MySpace. Our goal is not to inhibit the creation of these communities, but to ensure that our rights and those of our artists are recognized,” Universal said in a statement.