Russian TV Companies Demand 2 Undecillion Rubles From Google

Background

A group of Russian TV companies has filed a lawsuit against Google, demanding 2 undecillion rubles (approximately $26 trillion) in compensation for alleged copyright infringement.

The lawsuit, filed in a Moscow court, alleges that Google has been illegally distributing copyrighted content from Russian TV channels on its YouTube platform without permission.

The TV companies claim that Google has profited from the unauthorized distribution of their content and that they have suffered significant financial losses as a result.

Google's Response

Google has not yet commented on the lawsuit, but it is likely to argue that it is not liable for the copyright infringement of its users.

Google has a long-standing policy of removing copyrighted content from its platform when it receives a valid takedown request from the copyright holder.

However, Google is not required to proactively monitor its platform for copyright infringement, and it is not liable for the actions of its users unless it has actual knowledge of the infringement and fails to take action to remove it.

Legal Analysis

The outcome of the lawsuit is likely to hinge on whether the Russian TV companies can prove that Google had actual knowledge of the copyright infringement and failed to take action to remove it.

The TV companies will also need to prove that they have suffered significant financial losses as a result of Google's actions.

If the TV companies are successful in their lawsuit, it could have a significant impact on Google's operations in Russia.

Conclusion

The lawsuit is a reminder of the importance of copyright law in the digital age.

Content creators need to be aware of their rights and how to protect them, while platform providers need to be mindful of their obligations to respect copyright law.

The outcome of the lawsuit will be closely watched by both content creators and platform providers around the world.