throbber
Case 1:07-cv-02103-LLS Document 446 Filed 03/29/13 Page 1 of 62
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`
`UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
`
`
`
`ECF Case
`
`
`
`Case No. 1:07-cv-02103 (LLS)
`(related case no. 1:07-cv-03582 (LLS))
`
`
` )
`
`
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`
`
`
`
`________________________________________
`
`VIACOM INTERNATIONAL INC.,
`COMEDY PARTNERS,
`COUNTRY MUSIC TELEVISION, INC.,
`PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION,
`and BLACK ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION
`LLC,
`
`
`Plaintiffs,
`
` v.
`
`YOUTUBE, INC., YOUTUBE, LLC, and
`GOOGLE INC.,
`
`
`Defendants.
`________________________________________
`
`PLAINTIFFS’ MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANTS’
`RENEWED MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
`
`
`
`Paul M. Smith (No. PS-2362)
`Scott B. Wilkens (pro hac vice)
`Luke C. Platzer (No. LP-0734)
`JENNER & BLOCK LLP
`1099 New York Ave, NW
`Washington, DC 20001
`(202) 639-6000
`
`Susan J. Kohlmann (No. SK-1855)
`JENNER & BLOCK LLP
`919 Third Avenue
`New York, NY 10022
`(212) 891-1600
`
`Stuart J. Baskin (No. SB-9936)
`Kirsten Nelson Cunha (No. KN-0283)
`SHEARMAN & STERLING LLP
`599 Lexington Avenue
`New York, NY 10022
`(212) 848-4000
`
`
`Matthew D. McGill (No. MM-4545)
`GIBSON DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP
`1050 Connecticut Ave, NW
`Washington, DC 20036
`(202) 955-8500
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`Case 1:07-cv-02103-LLS Document 446 Filed 03/29/13 Page 2 of 62
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`
`
`TABLE OF AUTHORITIES ...................................................................................................... iii
`
`GLOSSARY.................................................................................................................................. vi
`
`INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................1
`
`LEGAL STANDARD ....................................................................................................................4
`
`ARGUMENT ..................................................................................................................................7
`
`I. QUESTIONS OF FACT REGARDING YOUTUBE’S AWARENESS OF
`INFRINGING ACTIVITY PRECLUDE ENTRY OF SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON
`YOUTUBE’S DMCA DEFENSE. .......................................................................................7
`
`A. YouTube Has Not Shown That It Lacked Actual Knowledge or Awareness of
`Viacom’s Clips-in-Suit. ................................................................................................8
`
`B. Extensive Evidence of YouTube’s Willful Blindness Raises Multiple Factual
`Disputes That Preclude Summary Judgment in YouTube’s Favor. .....................10
`
`1. YouTube’s Motion Misconstrues The Second Circuit’s Willful Blindness
`Doctrine. ............................................................................................................10
`
`2. The Summary Judgment Record Raises Numerous Genuine Disputes Of
`Material Fact as to YouTube’s Willful Blindness. ........................................16
`
`a. YouTube Was Aware of a High Probability of Infringement of
`Viacom’s Copyrighted Works. .............................................................. 16
`
`b. YouTube Deliberately Shielded Itself From Learning Of Particular
`Infringements of Viacom’s Clips-In-Suit.............................................. 21
`
`C. YouTube’s Inaccurate Assertions About Viacom’s Marketing and Enforcement
`Practices Do Not Demonstrate the Absence of Fact Issues on YouTube’s
`Awareness of Infringement. ......................................................................................28
`
`1. Viacom’s Lawful Marketing Practices Did Not Deprive YouTube of
`Knowledge of Infringement. ............................................................................29
`
`2. Viacom’s Decision to Forebear from Some Copyright Enforcement Did Not
`Deprive YouTube of Knowledge of Infringement or Create an Implied
`License. ..............................................................................................................31
`
`
`
`i
`
`

`
`Case 1:07-cv-02103-LLS Document 446 Filed 03/29/13 Page 3 of 62
`Case 1:07—cv—02103-LLS Document 446
`Filed 03/29/13 Page 3 of 62
`PUBLIC VERSION
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`
`II. QUESTIONS OF FACT REGARDING YOUTUBE’S CONTROL OF AND DIRECT
`II. QUESTIONS OF FACT REGARDING YOUTUBE’S CONTROL OF AND DIRECT
`FINANCIAL INTEREST IN THE INFRINGING ACTIVITY PRECLUDE ENTRY
`FINANCIAL INTEREST IN THE INFRINGING ACTIVITY PRECLUDE ENTRY
`OF SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON YOUTUBE’S DMCA DEFENSE. .........................33
`OF SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON YOUTUBE’S DMCA DEFENSE. ....................... ..33
`
`A. Triable Issues of Fact Preclude Summary Judgment for YouTube on the Control
`A. Triable Issues of Fact Preclude Summary Judgment for YouTube on the Control
`Element of the DMCA. ..............................................................................................33
`Element of the DMCA. ............................................................................................ ..33
`
`1. Control Can Exist in a Variety of Factual Circumstances Including Those
`1.
`Control Can Exist in a Variety of Factual Circumstances Including Those
`Present in Grokster and Cybernet. .................................................................33
`Present in Grokster and Cybernet..................................................................33
`
`2. Triable Issues of Fact Exist as to YouTube’s Control Under Grokster and
`2.
`Triable Issues of Fact Exist as to YouTube’s Control Under Grokster and
`Cybernet ............................................................................................................39
`Cybernet............................................................................................................39
`
`B. Triable Issues of Fact Preclude Summary Judgment for YouTube on the Direct
`B. Triable Issues of Fact Preclude Summary Judgment for YouTube on the Direct
`Financial Benefit Element of the DMCA. ................................................................46
`Financial Benefit Element of the DMCA. ................................................................46
`
`III. TRIABLE ISSUES OF FACT EXIST AS TO WHETHER YOUTUBE’S
`III. TRIABLE ISSUES OF FACT EXIST AS TO WHETHER YOUTUBE’S
`SYNDICATION OF VIACOM’S WORKS TO THIRD PARTIES FALLS OUTSIDE
`SYNDICATION OF VIACOM’S WORKS TO THIRD PARTIES FALLS OUTSIDE
`THE SCOPE OF THE DMCA SAFE HARBOR. ...........................................................50
`THE SCOPE OF THE DMCA SAFE HARBOR.......................................................... ..50
`
`CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................54
`CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................54
`
`
`
`ii
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`Case 1:07-cv-02103-LLS Document 446 Filed 03/29/13 Page 4 of 62
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`
`
`TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
`
`A&M Records, Inc. v. Napster, Inc., 239 F.3d 1004 (9th Cir. 2001) .......................................34, 46
`
`ALS Scan, Inc. v. RemarQ Communities, Inc, 239 F.3d 619 (4th Cir. 2001) ..................................5
`
`Arista Records LLC v. Doe 3, 604 F.3d 110 (2d Cir. 2010) ............................................................9
`
`Arista Records LLC v. Lime Group LLC, 784 F. Supp. 2d 398 (S.D.N.Y. 2011) ................... 46-47
`
`Authors Guild v. Google, Inc., 282 F.R.D. 384 (S.D.N.Y. 2012) ...................................... 25-26, 41
`
`Capitol Records, Inc. v. MP3tunes, LLC, 821 F. Supp. 2d 627 (S.D.N.Y. 2011) .....................5, 48
`
`Dandamudi v. Tisch, 686 F.3d 66 (2d Cir. July 10, 2012).............................................................15
`
`Design Options, Inc. v. BellePointe, Inc., 940 F. Supp. 86 (S.D.N.Y. 1986) ..........................32, 33
`
`Ellison v. Robertson, 357 F.3d 1072 (9th Cir. 2004) ...............................................................48, 49
`
`Fonovisa, Inc. v. Cherry Auction, Inc., 76 F.3d 259 (9th Cir. 1996) .............................................46
`
`Gelb v. Bd. of Elections, 224 F.3d 149 (2d Cir. 2000).............................................................26, 40
`
`Gershwin Publishing Corp. v. Columbia Artists Management, Inc., 443 F.2d 1159 (2d
`Cir. 1971) ...................................................................................................................................9
`
`Global-Tech Appliances, Inc. v. SEB S.A., 131 S. Ct. 2060 (2011) ...................................12, 14, 26
`
`Io Group, Inc. v. Veoh Networks, Inc., 586 F. Supp. 2d 1132 (N.D. Cal. 2008) ...........................22
`
`Jackan v. New York State Department of Labor, 205 F.3d 562 (2d Cir. 2000) .............................15
`
`Krishna v. Colgate Palmolive Co., 7 F.3d 11 (2d Cir.1993) ...................................................26, 40
`
`Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd., 454 F. Supp. 2d 966 (C.D. Cal.
`2006) ........................................................................................................................................35
`
`Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd., 545 U.S. 913 (2005) ................9, 34, 35, 38
`
`Perfect 10, Inc. v. CCBill, 488 F.3d 1102 (9th Cir. 2007) .............................................................46
`
`Perfect 10, Inc. v. Cybernet Ventures, Inc., 213 F. Supp. 2d 1146 (C.D. Cal.
`2002) ....................................................................................................34, 36, 37, 42, 43, 48, 49
`
`Perfect10, Inc. v. Amazon.com, Inc., No. CV-05-4753, slip op. (C.D. Cal. Nov. 4, 2008) .............6
`
`Perma Research & Development Co. v. Singer Co., 410 F.2d 572 (2d Cir. 1969) ........................8
`
`
`
`iii
`
`

`
`Case 1:07-cv-02103-LLS Document 446 Filed 03/29/13 Page 5 of 62
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`
`Psihoyos v. Pearson Education, Inc., 855 F. Supp. 2d 103 (S.D.N.Y. 2012) ...............................33
`
`Redd v. New York State Division of Parole, 678 F.3d 166 (2d Cir. 2012) ......................................4
`
`Rojas v. Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, 660 F.3d 98 (2d Cir. 2011), cert. denied,
`132 S. Ct. 1744 (2012) ...............................................................................................................4
`
`Rosetta Stone Ltd. v. Google, Inc., 676 F.3d 144 (4th Cir. 2012)..................................................27
`
`Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. v. H.L. Green Co., 316 F.2d 304 (2d Cir. 1963) ..................................46
`
`Smithkline Beecham Consumer Healthcare, L.P., v. Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 211
`F.3d 21 (2d Cir. 2000)..............................................................................................................33
`
`Tiffany (NJ) Inc. v. eBay, Inc., 576 F. Supp. 2d 463 (S.D.N.Y. 2008), aff’d in part, rev’d
`in part, 600 F.3d 93 (2d Cir. 2010) ....................................................................................27, 28
`
`Tiffany (NJ) Inc. v. eBay, Inc., 600 F.3d 93 (2d Cir. 2010) ...................................10, 11, 13, 15, 16
`
`Tur v. YouTube, No. CV 064436, 2007 WL 1893635 (C.D. Cal. June 20, 2007) .....................6, 44
`
`Ulloa v. Universal Music Video & Distribution Corp., 303 F. Supp. 2d 409 (S.D.N.Y.
`2004) ........................................................................................................................................33
`
`UMG Recordings, Inc. v. Veoh Networks, Inc., 665 F. Supp. 2d 1099 (C.D. Cal. 2009),
`aff’d, 667 F.2d 1022 (9th Cir. 2011) ....................................................................................6, 46
`
`Viacom International Inc. v. YouTube, Inc., 718 F. Supp. 2d 514 (S.D.N.Y. 2010), aff’d
`in part, rev’d in part, 676 F.3d 19 (2d Cir. 2012)....................................................................16
`
`Viacom International Inc. v. YouTube, Inc., 676 F.3d 19 (2d Cir. 2012) .............................. passim
`
`Vermont Teddy Bear Co. v. 1-800 BEARGRAM Co., 373 F.3d 241 (2d Cir. 2004) ........................6
`
`Wolk v. Kodak Imaging Network, Inc., 840 F. Supp. 2d 724 (S.D.N.Y. 2011) .........................5, 48
`
`STATUTES
`
`17 U.S.C. § 106 ..............................................................................................................................53
`
`17 U.S.C. § 512(c) .........................................................................................................................53
`
`17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(1)(A) ...............................................................................................................37
`
`17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(1)(B) ...............................................................................................................47
`
`LEGISLATIVE MATERIALS
`
`H.R. Rep. No. 105-551(I) (1998) .....................................................................................................6
`
`
`
`iv
`
`

`
`Case 1:07-cv-02103-LLS Document 446 Filed 03/29/13 Page 6 of 62
`Case1:07—cv—02103-LLS Document 446
`Filed 03/29/13 Page6of 62
`PUBLIC VERSION
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`
`H.R. Rep. 105-551(II) (1998) .................................................................................................. 47-48
`H.R. Rep. 105-551(11) (1998) ................................................................................................ .. 47-48
`
`S. Rep. No. 105-190 (1998) ...........................................................................................................48
`S. Rep. No. 105-190 (1998) ......................................................................................................... ..48
`
`OTHER AUTHORITIES
`OTHER AUTHORITIES
`
`Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(2) ................................................................................................................ 7-8
`Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(2) .............................................................................................................. .. 7-8
`
`Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a) ........................................................................................................................4
`Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a) ...................................................................................................................... ..4
`
`11 James Wm. Moore et al., Moore’s Federal Practice ¶ 56.40[1][C] (3d ed. 2012) ................. 6-7
`11 James Wm. Moore et al., Moore ’s Federal Practice 11 56.40[1][C] (3d ed. 2012) ............... .. 6-7
`
`3 Melville B. Nimmer & David Nimmer, Nimmer on Copyright § 12B04 (2012) .........................6
`3 Melville B. Nimmer & David Nimmer, Nimmer on Copyright § l2B04 (2012) ....................... ..6
`
`Restatement (Third) of Agency § 1.02 (2006) ................................................................................19
`Restatement (Third) 0fAgency § 1.02 (2006) .............................................................................. .. 19
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`v
`
`

`
`Case 1:07-cv-02103-LLS Document 446 Filed 03/29/13 Page 7 of 62
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`GLOSSARY
`
`Memoranda of Law & Rule 56.1 Statements
`YouTube’s Memorandum of Law in Support of Defendants’
`Renewed Motion for Summary Judgment; filed December 7, 2012
`Defendants’ Supplemental Statement of Material Facts As To Which
`There Is No Genuine Issue To Be Tried; filed December 7, 2012
`YouTube’s Reply Brief in Support of Defendants’ Motion for
`Summary Judgment; filed June 4, 2010
`Brief for Defendants-Appellees in the United States Court of
`Appeals for the Second Circuit, Viacom Int’l Inc. v. YouTube, Inc.
`(No. 10-3270-cv), 2011 WL 1356930; filed March 31, 2011
`Plaintiffs’ Memorandum of Law in Support of Viacom’s Motion
`for Partial Summary Judgment on Liability and Inapplicability of
`the DMCA Safe Harbor Defense; filed March 5, 2010
`Viacom’s Reply Memorandum of Law in Support of Viacom’s
`Motion for Partial Summary Judgment; filed June 4, 2010
`Viacom’s Counterstatement in Response to Defendants’ Local
`Rule 56.1 Statement in Support of Defendants’ Motion for
`Summary Judgment; filed April 30, 2010
`Viacom’s Supplemental Counter-Statement in Response to Facts
`Asserted in Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment
`Memorandum of Law But Omitted From Defendants’ Local Rule
`56.1 Statement; filed April 30, 2010
`Viacom’s Reply to Defendants’ Counterstatement to Viacom’s
`Statement of Undisputed Facts in Support of Its Motion for Partial
`Summary Judgment; filed June 4, 2010
`Plaintiffs’ Counterstatement in Response to Defendants’
`Supplemental Statement of Material Facts As To Which There Is
`No Genuine Issue To Be Tried; filed January 18, 2013
`Declarations
`Declaration of William M. Hohengarten in Support of Viacom’s
`Motion for Partial Summary Judgment; filed March 5, 2010
`Declaration of Susan J. Kohlmann in Support of Viacom’s
`Opposition to Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment; filed
`April 30, 2010
`Declaration of Scott B. Wilkens in Support of Viacom’s
`Opposition to Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment; filed
`April 30, 2010
`Declaration of Scott B. Wilkens in Support of Plaintiffs’ Reply
`in Support of Viacom’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment;
`filed June 4, 2010
`Declaration of Scott B. Wilkens in Support of Plaintiffs’
`Opposition to Defendants’ Renewed Motion for Summary
`Judgment; filed January 18, 2013
`
`vi
`
`
`
`YT Br.
`
`YT Supp. Submission
`
`YT Reply Br.
`
`YT 2d Cir. Br.
`
`Viacom Opening SJ Br.
`
`Viacom SJ Reply Br.
`
`CSUF
`
`SCSUF
`
`RSUF
`
`CSUF (01/18/2013)
`
`Hohengarten Decl.
`
`Kohlmann Decl.
`
`Wilkens Opp. Decl.
`
`Wilkens Reply Decl.
`
`Wilkens 01/18/2013
`Decl.
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`Case 1:07-cv-02103-LLS Document 446 Filed 03/29/13 Page 8 of 62
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`
`
`Rubin Opening Decl.
`
`Rubin Reply Decl.
`
`Declarations (continued)
`Declaration of Michael Rubin in Support of Defendants’ Motion
`for Summary Judgment; filed March 5, 2010
`Declaration of Michael Rubin in Further Support of Defendants’
`Motion for Summary Judgment; filed June 4, 2010
`
`
`
`
`vii
`
`

`
`Case 1:07-cv-02103-LLS Document 446 Filed 03/29/13 Page 9 of 62
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`
`Plaintiffs Viacom International Inc., Comedy Partners, Country Music Television, Inc.,
`
`Paramount Pictures Corporation, and Black Entertainment Television LLC (“Viacom”) submit
`
`this memorandum of law in opposition to YouTube’s renewed motion for summary judgment on
`
`its affirmative defense under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. § 512(c).
`
`INTRODUCTION
`
`On remand from the Second Circuit, Defendants have moved for summary judgment on
`
`their DMCA safe harbor affirmative defense, resting on the same factual record that was before
`
`the Court during the previous round of summary judgment briefing. Defendants’ motion must be
`
`denied as to all Viacom clips-in-suit uploaded to YouTube on or before May 31, 2008, because it
`
`relies on erroneous interpretations of the governing legal standards, and disregards large swaths
`
`of the factual record. Defendants cannot win summary judgment by rewriting the statute or by
`
`arguing their preferred interpretation of record evidence that clearly creates multiple triable
`
`issues concerning their eligibility for the section 512(c) safe harbor. Nor can they profit from
`
`any gaps in the proof by putting the burden on Viacom to negate their eligibility for the safe
`
`harbor.
`
`First, with respect to actual knowledge or awareness of specific instances of
`
`infringement, Defendants have failed to come forward with any evidence showing that they
`
`lacked such knowledge or awareness of Viacom’s clips-in-suit. They offer no sworn statement
`
`from YouTube’s co-founders or other key employees denying the company’s awareness of the
`
`clips-in-suit and no viewing or other administrative records that might establish the absence of
`
`awareness. Instead they argue that Viacom has no evidence showing which specific Viacom
`
`clips-in-suit they knew about. See YT Br. at 18-23 & YT Supp. Submission. But that argument
`
`impermissibly shifts the burden of proof, which rests on Defendants to support their claimed
`
`affirmative defense. If there is no evidence allowing a jury to separate the clips-in-suit that
`1
`
`
`
`

`
`Case 1:07-cv-02103-LLS Document 446 Filed 03/29/13 Page 10 of 62
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`
`Defendants were aware of from those they were not, there is no basis for applying the safe harbor
`
`affirmative defense to any of the clips. See infra 8-10.
`
`Second, even if the record supported the conclusion that the Defendants avoided specific
`
`knowledge or awareness of all of the clips-in-suit, there is clear evidence that any such ignorance
`
`was the product of willful blindness. Under the Second Circuit standard articulated in Viacom
`
`and Tiffany, Defendants repeatedly engaged in intentional efforts to minimize knowledge of
`
`specific infringing clips, including Viacom’s clips-in-suit. Unable to explain away the extensive
`
`record evidence of willful blindness, Defendants attempt to turn the doctrine on its head by
`
`claiming that it applies only when a service provider is already aware of a specific clip but
`
`avoids learning of that clip’s infringing character. But that evasion misstates the law. As
`
`Viacom and Tiffany make clear, a service provider engages in willful blindness when it “has
`
`reason to suspect that users of its service are infringing a protected mark [or copyright],” but
`
`“shield[s] itself from learning of the particular infringing transactions by looking the other
`
`way.” The record evidence raises multiple triable issues of fact concerning whether Defendants
`
`were willfully blind when they, among other things, disabled community flagging to avoid
`
`notice, rejected proposed tools to identify and root out infringement, initially declined to provide
`
`Audible Magic filtering to protect movie studio content because copyright infringement was “a
`
`major lure” for YouTube’s users, and eventually used Audible Magic filtering only to protect the
`
`content of license partners, while refusing to provide it to Viacom (with whom licensing
`
`negotiations were unsuccessful). See infra 10-33.
`
`Third, regarding control and financial benefit, Defendants have failed to show under
`
`Grokster or Cybernet that they lacked the “something more” that the Second Circuit standard
`
`requires, or that they did not receive a direct financial benefit from the infringement that
`
`
`
`2
`
`

`
`Case 1:07-cv-02103-LLS Document 446 Filed 03/29/13 Page 11 of 62
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`
`indisputably drew users to YouTube and that enabled the founders to sell the company for $1.8
`
`billion within 18 months of its launch. Where, as here, a service provider takes active steps to
`
`run its site with the intent of promoting infringement, the service provider has the right and
`
`ability to control in the relevant sense under Grokster. Furthermore, where, as here, a service
`
`provider controls and dominates its site by exercising actual and ultimate control over site
`
`content, it has the requisite control under Cybernet. Defendants have not shown that they lacked
`
`Grokster intent, and they do not even address Cybernet. As to financial benefit, Defendants
`
`completely ignore the prevailing “draw” standard, which they obviously cannot satisfy given
`
`that, by Defendants’ own admissions, a majority of YouTube’s views were of pirated content.
`
`Instead, Defendants attempt to create a new legal standard that finds no support in the statute,
`
`case law, or legislative history. In short, multiple triable issues of fact as to control and financial
`
`benefit preclude a grant of summary judgment in Defendants’ favor as to all Viacom clips-in-
`
`suit. See infra 33-49.
`
`Fourth, with respect to syndication, Defendants do not dispute that Viacom clips-in-suit
`
`were syndicated to Apple, Sony, Panasonic, and other third parties. They claim that the kind of
`
`syndication at issue in those deals falls within the scope of the safe harbor because (unlike
`
`Defendants’ syndication deal with Verizon) it did not involve (1) manual selection of clips or (2)
`
`physical delivery of copies. But the critical feature of Defendants’ syndication deals that takes
`
`them outside the safe harbor is that they were entered into sua sponte by Defendants, for their
`
`own business purposes, and not at the direction of users. See infra 50-53.1
`
`
`1 Viacom incorporates herein by reference the factual record that it proffered during the previous
`round of summary judgment briefing, including, without limitation, the facts set forth in
`Viacom’s SUF, CSUF, SCSUF, and RSUF, and the facts set forth in and documents attached to
`the Hohengarten, Kohlmann, Wilkens Opp., and Wilkens Reply Declarations. Furthermore, to
`the extent that Defendants seek to rely on portions of declarations that Viacom objected to on
`
`
`
`3
`
`

`
`Case 1:07-cv-02103-LLS Document 446 Filed 03/29/13 Page 12 of 62
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`
`
`LEGAL STANDARD
`
`YouTube’s motion attempts to turn the long-established summary judgment burdens
`
`upside down by drawing every factual inference in YouTube’s favor, relying only on YouTube’s
`
`own self-serving evidence, and disregarding the evidence and inferences that favor Viacom as
`
`the non-movant. That is simply wrong. A grant of summary judgment is appropriate only “if the
`
`movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled
`
`to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). Thus, the “burden of demonstrating that
`
`no material fact exists lies with the moving party.” Rojas v. Roman Catholic Diocese of
`
`Rochester, 660 F.3d 98, 104 (2d Cir. 2011), cert. denied, 132 S. Ct. 1744 (2012). In evaluating a
`
`summary judgment motion, “the evidence of the non-movant is to be believed; all permissible
`
`inferences are to be drawn in [the non-movant’s] favor; and the court must disregard all evidence
`
`favorable to the moving party that the jury is not required to believe.” Redd v. N.Y. State Div. of
`
`Parole, 678 F.3d 166, 174 (2d Cir. 2012) (internal quotation marks omitted). As a result,
`
`“[s]ummary judgment is inappropriate when the admissible materials in the record ‘make it
`
`arguable’ that the claim has merit,” or “[w]here an issue as to a material fact cannot be resolved
`
`without observation of the demeanor of witnesses in order to evaluate their credibility.” Id.
`
`(internal quotation marks omitted). “In sum, summary judgment is proper only when, with all
`
`permissible inferences and credibility questions resolved in favor of the party against whom
`
`judgment is sought, there can be but one reasonable conclusion as to the verdict, i.e., it is quite
`
`clear what the truth is.” Id. (internal quotation marks omitted).
`
`
`evidentiary grounds during the prior round of summary judgment briefing, Viacom incorporates
`herein and renews its Evidentiary Objections to Portions of Declarations Submitted in Support of
`Defendants’ Opposition to Viacom’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, filed under seal
`June 4, 2010.
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`
`Case 1:07-cv-02103-LLS Document 446 Filed 03/29/13 Page 13 of 62
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`
`
`YouTube’s motion is also premised on a reversal of the applicable burdens of proof. It
`
`assumes that YouTube is entitled to summary judgment unless Viacom can negate YouTube’s
`
`eligibility for the Section 512(c) safe harbor. See, e.g., YT Br. at 15 n.5 (asserting Viacom bears
`
`“[t]he burden of proving that [YouTube] had disqualifying knowledge under § 512(c)”).2 But
`
`the DMCA is an affirmative defense that must be proved by the party asserting it. The Second
`
`Circuit was clear on this point: “[t]o qualify for protection under any of the safe harbors, a party
`
`must meet a set of threshold criteria” and “[b]eyond the threshold criteria, a service provider
`
`must satisfy the requirements of a particular safe harbor,” in this case § 512(c). Viacom Int’l,
`
`Inc. v. YouTube, Inc., 676 F.3d 19, 27 (2d Cir. 2012).
`
`Moreover, other case law, the legislative history, and treatises all place the burden of
`
`proof squarely on the party asserting the DMCA safe harbor defense. See, e.g., ALS Scan, Inc. v.
`
`RemarQ Cmtys., Inc, 239 F.3d 619, 623 (4th Cir. 2001) (“[T]o qualify for this safe harbor
`
`protection [under § 512(c)(1)], the Internet service provider must demonstrate that it has met all
`
`three of the safe harbor requirements[.]”); Capitol Records, Inc. v. MP3tunes, LLC, 821 F. Supp.
`
`2d 627, 635-36 (S.D.N.Y. 2011) (“To prevail on a motion for summary judgment, the moving
`
`party must demonstrate each essential element of its infringement claim or defense.”); Wolk v.
`
`Kodak Imaging Network, Inc., 840 F. Supp. 2d 724, 746 (S.D.N.Y. 2011) (moving party “must
`
`show, inter alia, that it did not have actual knowledge that the material or an activity using the
`
`material on the system or network is infringing and was not aware of facts or circumstances from
`
`
`2 Nearly every subheading in the argument section of YouTube’s brief reflects this reversal of
`the applicable burdens. See, e.g., YT Br. at i-ii (“I.A. To Satisfy The DMCA, Viacom Would
`Have To Show That YouTube Had Actual Or Red-Flag Knowledge Of Particular Clips-In-Suit;”
`“II.A. As Limited By The DMCA, Willful Blindness Requires Viacom To Show That YouTube
`Consciously Avoid [sic] Confirming A High Probability That A Specific Clip-In-Suit Was
`Infringing;” and “III.B Viacom Cannot Show That YouTube Exerted A Substantial Influence
`Over The Infringement Of Any Clip-In-Suit”) (emphasis added).
`
`
`
`5
`
`

`
`Case 1:07-cv-02103-LLS Document 446 Filed 03/29/13 Page 14 of 62
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`
`which infringing activity is apparent”); Tur v. Youtube, Inc., No. CV064436, 2007 WL 1893635,
`
`at *2 (C.D. Cal. June 20, 2007) (denying summary judgment to YouTube on identical Section
`
`512(c) defense because “YouTube’s ultimate eligibility for ‘safe harbor’ protection depends
`
`upon whether YouTube can prove that it satisfies . . . the specific elements of subsection (c) [of
`
`Section 512].”); H.R. Rep. No. 105-551(I), at 26 (1998) (“[A] defendant asserting this exemption
`
`or limitation [codified at § 512(c)] as an affirmative defense in such a suit bears the burden of
`
`establishing its entitlement.”); 3 Melville B. Nimmer & David Nimmer, Nimmer on Copyright §
`
`12B.04 at 12B-77 n.211 (2012) (“Given that all of Section 512’s limitations of liability constitute
`
`affirmative defenses, the service provider must prove its eligibility.”).3
`
`In short, YouTube as the movant has the burden of demonstrating that there are no triable
`
`issues of material fact, and in carrying that burden it cannot profit from the absence of evidence
`
`concerning a given issue, because it also bears the ultimate burden of proof on its affirmative
`
`defense. See, e.g., Vt. Teddy Bear Co. v. 1-800 BEARGRAM Co., 373 F.3d 241, 244 (2d Cir.
`
`2004) (“If the evidence submitted in support of the summary judgment motion does not meet the
`
`movant’s burden of production, then summary judgment must be denied even if no opposing
`
`evidentiary matter is presented.” (internal quotation marks omitted)); 11 James Wm. Moore et
`
`
`3 YouTube’s purported legal authority for reversing the burden of proof, which YouTube
`relegates to a footnote, does not withstand scrutiny. See YT Br. at 15 n.5. In UMG Recordings,
`Inc. v. Veoh Networks, Inc., 665 F. Supp. 2d 1099 (C.D. Cal. 2009), aff’d, 667 F.3d 1022 (9th
`Cir. 2011), the court had already determined that, unlike here, the defendant had “provided
`substantial evidence that it fulfilled the requirements of section 512(c)(1)(A),” and only then, in
`the statement relied upon by YouTube, considered whether the plaintiff had adduced sufficient
`evidence to rebut the showing already made by the defendant. Id. at 1107, 1108, 1110.
`Similarly, YouTube misleadingly cites an order from Perfect10, Inc. v. Amazon.com, Inc., No.
`CV-05-4753, slip op. at 8 (C.D. Cal. Nov. 4, 2008) (ECF. No. 221), to claim that it is plaintiff’s
`burden to prove ineligibility under the DMCA safe harbor. YT Br. at 15 n.5. But in that order,
`the Perfect10 district court concluded that the defendant bore the burden of proof: “the Court
`finds that [defendant] A9.com has not met its burden of establishing that it is eligible fo

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket