RIAA Demands Personal Details of Pirating YouTube Users
\nBy Ernesto
\n on March 27, 2014
\n C: 68<\/p>\n
Breaking<\/p>\n
After focusing on P2P file-sharers in the past, the RIAA is now going after pirating YouTube users. This month the music group obtained a subpoena at a federal court in California and has asked YouTube to hand over the IP-address, email and all other identifying information related to user(s) who uploaded two leaked Chris Brown videos.<\/p>\n
youtubesadsmallTo many, uploading a music video of their favorite artist seems to be a relatively harmless act, but the major record labels clearly disagree. <\/p>\n
Up until now \u201cpirating\u201d YouTube users would only get a slap on the wrist by Google, and have their YouTube accounts terminated at worst. However, it appears that the RIAA has had enough and is now going after the uploaders of two leaked Chris Brown tracks. <\/p>\n
The RIAA\u2019s quest started earlier this month when Vice President Anti-Piracy Mark McDevitt contacted YouTube personally to demand the takedown of the leaked tracks \u201cNew Flame\u201d and \u201cDie it For You.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are asking you for your immediate assistance in stopping this unauthorized activity,\u201d McDevitt wrote in a letter to the video hosting service.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpecifically, we request that you ensure the removal of the infringing files from your system, or that you disable access to the infringing files, and that you inform the site operator of the illegality of his or her conduct,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
YouTube was quick to comply, as both videos are unavailable at the time of writing. However, the RIAA didn\u2019t stop there. Instead, the music group went to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to obtain a subpoena for the personal details of the uploader, or uploaders. <\/p>\n
In their request the RIAA explains that it requires a subpoena to identify those responsible for the uploads. Among other things, they are looking for the IP-addresses and emails associated with the accounts in question.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe purpose for which this subpoena is sought is to obtain the identity or identities of the individual or individuals assigned to this URL,\u201d RIAA writes. \u201cThis information will only be used for the purposes of protecting the rights granted to our members, the sound recording copyright owners, under [the DMCA].\u201d <\/p>\n
The RIAA\u2019s request for a subpoena was granted by a court clerk on the same day. This means that YouTube now has until April 15 to hand over the requested information, unless it decides to appeal. <\/p>\n
RIAA subpoena to YouTube<\/p>\n
subpoena-riaa-youtube<\/p>\n
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the RIAA has gone after YouTube users. Whether this is an isolated incident has yet to be seen, but it wouldn\u2019t be a surprise if the record labels want to set an example.<\/p>\n
The RIAA has been an active proponent of criminalizing those who \u201cstream\u201d copyrighted videos in the past. While that failed through the PIPA bill, this may be an opportunity for them to test the water under current copyright laws.<\/p>\n
In any case, YouTube users should be aware that the RIAA and others can obtain their personal details on a whim. <\/p>\n\n