Universal Music is taking legal action against two video sharing sites
Video sharing sites are being targeted for infringing the copyright of artists

Universal Music sues video sharing sites

YouTube safe, but Gouper and Bolt under pressure

Will Head

Universal Music is taking legal action against two video sharing sites, just weeks after burying the copyright hatchet with YouTube

Video sites Bolt and Grouper are being targeted by Universal for allegedly infringing the copyright of its artists, including Bon Jovi, Eminem, Jamie Cullum and U2. Universal is claiming up to $150,000 for each incident of infringement. 

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"Grouper and Bolt cannot reasonably expect to build their businesses on the back of our content and the hard work of our artists and songwriters without permission and without compensating the content creators," a Universal spokesman told Reuters

Jay Gould, one of the owners of Bolt, asked users in a message on the site not to upload videos that infringe Universal's copyright. 

"We have been notified today that Universal Music has filed a lawsuit against Bolt because our members upload videos which may contain their musicians' copyrighted videos," he wrote.

"We understand the love you have for your favourite artists, but Bolt respects the rights of copyright owners such as Universal Music and their artists, and we ask that you please do so as well by not uploading their videos to Bolt.

"You can still watch your favourite music videos by visiting your favourite bands' websites. Bear with us - we hope to sort this out soon."

YouTube, which was purchased by Google last week for $1.6bn, has signed agreements with many music publishers including Universal, Sony BMG and Warner Music.

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Further reading

Google has agreed to acquire video-sharing site YouTube for $1.65bn in stock

Google buys YouTube for $1.65bn

Search firm announces stock deal for video-sharing site

Video deals are background music to Google YouTube deal

Copyright issue is the 'elephant in the room' behind the YouTube takeover

YouTube clear leader in UK video sharing

Google and MySpace struggling to keep up

Mobile users tune into streaming music

Killer mobile entertainment application, says analyst

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