Monday, July 21, 2008

Mom Fights Universal Music Publishing Group Over Video of Her Toddler Learning to Walk

Stephanie Lenz, a Pennsylvania mom, has been asked by Universal to remove a video she posted to YouTube of her toddler learning to walk. In the background of the video, Prince's song "Let's Go Crazy" is playing. The take down notice alleges that what appears to me to be an ephemeral use of the song, infringes on the song's copyrights. Lenz has filed suit asking for declaratory relief that her use is not an infringement.

Backed by the EFF (Electonic Frontier Foundation), Lenz is suing over Universal's take-down letter. There's been quite a bit of concern in the legal community about baseless take-down notices used to unjustifiably force people to take material down from the web.

The case is being covered by EFF: http://www.eff.org/cases/lenz-v-universal

It was also written up in Silicon Valley.com: http://www.siliconvalley.com/news/ci_9932068

Here's the video:

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