Megaupload sues Universal Music over pulled YouTube video ‎

Has anyone been following the dispute between Megaupload and Universal Music Group lately? A few days ago, Megaupload released a video, called “Mega Song,” featuring mainstream artists who endorse the online storage and file delivery service. The Recording Industry Association of America has described the service as a rogue site responsible for online piracy. The “Mega Song,” which featured illustrious guests such as Diddy and Kim Kardashian among others, appeared on YouTube on Friday, garnering rapidly more than 285,900 views. However, the clip was removed and replaced with a notice stating that it was taken down due to a copyright infringement allegation by Universal Music Group.

Megaupload argues that the copyright infringement allegations were “shams,” aimed at suppressing the endorsements. Kim Dotcom, chief innovation officer of Megaupload stated:

“UMG has chosen to sabotage Megaupload’s promotional campaign, effectively censoring our ability to convey our message with our own original content, including that a significant number of today’s top recording artists actively support our services.”

The major label responded through a statement that the song was an “unauthorized use” of a performance, further arguing:

“This is an on-going dispute that surfaced several weeks ago with respect to the unauthorized use of a performance from one of our artists. We heard from a number of our other artists (and their representatives) who told us they’ve never consented to being portrayed in this video.”

Megaupload’s attorney, Ira Rothken maintains that the stars were all aware what they were signing up for, and that Universal Music took down the video illegally. Megaupload is seeking undisclosed damages and wants the video returned to YouTube. The copy above was uploaded by a concerned user.

“How can you claim a copyright in a performance of artists singing that they love Megaupload?” Rothken asked. “It doesn’t pass the giggle test. It’s a sham.”

A second notice came from Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am whose attorney stated that his client never gave permission for his appearance in the video. Watch the video and see around the 25 second mark, and judge for yourself. It further needs to be pointed out that the embedded video above was uploaded to YouTube by a user after the takedowns and so far seems to have escaped notice.

Source: Wired