U.S. Judge Tosses Suit Over Hosted Pirated Content

LOS ANGELES — A federal judge on Monday ruled that the Digital Millennium Copyright Act's safe-harbor provisions protected Veoh Networks from liability for hosting pirated clips uploaded by users.

U.S. District Court Judge A. Howard Matz, who granted Veoh’s motion for summary judgment in a copyright infringement lawsuit brought by Universal Music Group, said that the DMCA “does not place the burden of ferreting out infringement on the service provider.”

The 29-page order said that he found Veoh’s policy on terminating repeat offenders who post pirated material satisfies Congress’ intent that “those who repeatedly or flagrantly abuse their access to the Internet through disrespect for the intellectual property rights of others should know that there is a realistic threat of losing that access.”

Universal sued Veoh for copyright infringement in 2007, alleging that Veoh was wrongly hosting pirated music videos. Universal alleged that the site was "a massive copyright infringer that has built its business on the back of others' intellectual property."

Veoh argued that it took steps aimed at preventing pirated clips from appearing on the site, including using filtering technology. It also said that it removed clips upon request, as per the DMCA's safe harbor provisions.

Universal said that Veoh wasn't eligible for the safe-harbor provisions of the DMCA because the company's founders, employees and investors knew of widespread infringement.

The case relied much on a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Perfect 10 vs. CCBill, where the court evaluated the “reasonableness” of the defendants’ termination policies.

That ruling, involving an adult content company and a third-party payment processor, set forth the standard for evaluating termination policies under the DMCA.

“The [9th Circuit] held that Perfect 10’s notices of infringement did not provide a valid basis for terminating users, even though they identified specific infringing works, because they did not contain declarations under penalty of perjury that the complainant was authorized to represent the copyright holder and that he had a good-faith belief that the user was infringing,” the court said.

The decision marked the second major courtroom victory for Veoh. Last year, Veoh was victor in a similar copyright lawsuit brought by Titan Media's parent, the Io Group.

In a statement, Universal said it intends to appeal the Veoh ruling.

Veoh Ruling

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Trial Set for Lawsuit by U Wisconsin Professor Fired Over Adult Content

A trial date of June 22, 2026, has been set for the civil lawsuit filed by veteran communications professor Joe Gow against the University of Wisconsin board of regents, which fired him for creating and appearing in adult content.

New UK Task Force Meets to Target Adult Content

The architect of an influential report that recommended banning adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic” has convened an “Independent Pornography Review task force” aimed at translating that report’s findings into action in the U.K.

11:11 Creations Launches Affiliate Program

11:11 Creations principal Alicia Silver has launched 11:11 Cash for creators and affiliates.

Pineapple Support, Pornhub to Host 'Self Love' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Pornhub are hosting a free online support group for performers to develop self-love.

Show More