Veoh Networks successfully defend UMG copyright suit

Universal Music Group have been defeated in their copyright suit against Veoh Networks, the video website operator.

The LA Times revealed this morning that U.S District Judge Howard Matz dismissed the suit filed in 2007, in which Universal accused Veoh of not only supporting, but inducing copyright infringement.

Veoh had also been involved in a complaint filed by the IO Group in 2006. Veoh.com, the network's flagship site attracts 19 million viewers per month, and while containing elements of the "YouTube model", also provides a broad selection of network television content, full length TV episodes and movies.

It's not the first time video websites have been the object of controversy, any site which contains viewer uploaded content is vulnerable to copyright infringement, and the case is part of a long history that looks set to continue, the internet having become a huge threat to established copyright laws.

In this instance, Judge Matz ruled that Veoh was taking reasonable steps to prevent and remove infringing videos, and founder Dmitry Shapiro labelled the outcome "a great victory". Universal are set to appeal the result.