Did Google Ignore A Takedown On The Italian Video?

from the making-things-a-bit-more-complex... dept

Mon, Mar 8th 2010 4:22am — Mike Masnick

As the arguments continue over the Italian verdict convicting Google execs of criminal privacy violations for a video on Google Video, there is one interesting tidbit that's now coming out. One issue is that the judge has only released the verdict, not the full reasoning -- and that's leading to an awful lot of speculation. But now, Stefano has alerted us to reports claiming that Google had received an earlier takedown request which it had ignored. Throughout the case, Google had insisted that within hours of receiving a takedown notice from the police, it had complied. But, apparently, the prosecutors are claiming that there definitely was an earlier takedown.

So now we go back to our post from last week about the law, and whether or not Google had sufficient notification for a takedown. Part of the problem appears to be that current EU law does not clearly state the process for a valid takedown. In the US, at least, with the DMCA, the process for what counts as a valid takedown and how it needs to be delivered is extremely clear. And that way you can guarantee what is, and what is not, sufficient notice that requires a takedown. In this situation, where the law is not clear, you are left with a problem of interpreting what counts as sufficient notification.

But that brings us to the second issue: even if Google was notified, but somehow missed the notification, does that then mean that it makes sense to convict three totally unrelated executives of criminal charges? It still sounds like that would be a massive leap. At worst -- if we take as a given (and I'm not saying it's true, but for sake of argument, let's say it was true) that Google was sent a takedown notice which it ignored -- I would think that it would make sense to fine Google and require it to have a clear process for handling takedowns. To go beyond that and criminally charge and convict three totally unrelated execs because it took a second notice to get the video taken down seems pretty ridiculous.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: criminal charges, eu, italy, liability, online video, privacy, youtube

20 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

Anonymous Coward, 8 Mar 2010 @ 5:01am

One thing which I'm still not clear on is whether or not the "execs" were really unrelated. What is Google's exact presence in Italy? Is it a small office with 3 "execs" and an accountant, or is it a Googleplex like in techier parts of the world? If it's the former, then there's simply nobody else to blame... (not that that justifies blaming them, of course)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Jim, 8 Mar 2010 @ 5:32am

No, IF (big if) they got a take down and ignored it a fine is not the answer. It involved a minor child so ignoring the take down should most certainly be criminal. Did they prosecute the right people? That I don't know.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
moop, 8 Mar 2010 @ 5:38am

iirc they knew who uploaded the video, and iirc it was said they "reprimanded" them. So, why did they ask Google to remove the video instead of the little shits who put it up in the first place? Why was Google sued and not the uploaders, and why on earth were the execs found guilty?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
rpk!!, 8 Mar 2010 @ 5:55am

Re: Jim
I'm not really sure a crime was committed! If I recall the content of the case the Italian gov was angry that a 3rd party posted a vid of some kid getting taunted. Does the fact that they are children suddenly make Google liable for anything?

Also, to convict these three execs of criminal charges wouldn't they have to prove that they are personally responsible for ignoring the takedown notice (that may or may not have come), ie they made the decision?

This sounds like the Italian gov making a move to be noticed in the digital world to me. What better way to draw attention than to convict 3 execs o one of the biggest companies in the world!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Super Bob Happyness, 8 Mar 2010 @ 6:02am

Thought I would try this again
I just wanted to see if this would go through or if it needed to be moderated by friendly Techdirt Moderators.

I mean, if this doesn't go through, I imagine there's a reason why I work where I do and you're moderators as you are.

Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just that you have to do something... I think.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Super Bob Happyness, 8 Mar 2010 @ 6:04am

Thought I would try this again
Is it wrong if I say that it's cooooooool that

Techdirt Moderators now don't like paying subscribers?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 8 Mar 2010 @ 6:10am

Re: Thought I would try this again
I hope you're not paying a subscription to this site. If you are, your getting ripped off.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 8 Mar 2010 @ 6:15am

Re:
There is a difference between accident and malicious intent. If they did receive a proper prior take down notice and nothing happened... did it get lost in the shuffle? What evidence was collected to ensure that Google received the message and didn't get sucked into a black hole? It's extremely rare but it happens.

To base most of your case on "I called on day 1 and received no word back to any effect. On day 30 I followed up and it was pulled down in 2 hours" To me it sounds like the day 1 notification got lost somewhere and if anything why did the person wait for flipping ever to follow up? If I took forever in my job to follow up on something important I WOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. Not the person I contacted once and sat on my hands for weeks assuming they got it... read it... and did whatever.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
bob, 8 Mar 2010 @ 6:21am

This is the Italians
Pretty much what ever they do is ridiculous.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
John Duncan Yoyo (profile), 8 Mar 2010 @ 6:34am

There are better places to vaction...
I can see all the paid ads redirecting people to France and Greece.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 8 Mar 2010 @ 6:39am

Re: Thought I would try this again
Well for $20 a month I can make sure all of your posts will be delivered to Techdirt. Don't be fooled by other subscription services! I'm totally legit!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Chuck Norris' Enemy (deceased) (profile), 8 Mar 2010 @ 6:43am

Ambiguity
current EU law does not clearly state the process for a valid takedown
A vague law allows for the broad brushstroke of prosecution. That way they can punish somebody if they can't get the real criminals.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 8 Mar 2010 @ 6:50am

Re: There are better places to vaction...
I don't think Google will go that far even if the conviction holds. More like they will pull out any and all employees out of Italy and make it clear that no employee should ever set foot in Italy because they are flipping insane and will arrest you because some Italian citizen did something nasty.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The Groove Tiger (profile), 8 Mar 2010 @ 7:52am

Re:
Did the execs throw stuff at some kid and mock him?
Did the execs capture said scene in video and upload it?

You can convict someone for murder if he committed the crime.
You can not convict someone of murder because he built the railing from which the victim was pushed off, or because he paved the street below with bricks instead of fluffy pillows.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
luca (profile), 8 Mar 2010 @ 12:18pm

Re:
this was the trial against G. for not removing the video in a short time, and it was not related to the uploaders.
In the italian system, if the judge, during a trial, has notice of a new/different crime that is not related to that trial, he is obliged by law to open a "branch" on that particular case and to pass the satte of the facts to an other judge who will investigate on this new crime and, if necessary, with a new trial.
So, relating to this case, a crime charge against the uploaders is something different (and will have a different trial) , and must not be confused with the trial to G. and the G.-execs, whether they can be found guilty or not.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
luca (profile), 8 Mar 2010 @ 12:28pm

Re: This is the Italians
great post from a country where kids and teens get into schools with weapons.
try again, lad.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Any Mouse, 8 Mar 2010 @ 12:39pm

Re: Re: This is the Italians
And which country would that be? I'd imagine the answer is... just about every country in the world?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 8 Mar 2010 @ 12:43pm

I take it there are some aspects of US law (takedowns, for example) that might be beneficially "exported" as a part of the ACTA discussions.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
luca (profile), 8 Mar 2010 @ 12:54pm

Re: Re: Re: This is the Italians
not mine, for sure.
and not in france
and not in germany
and not in spain
and not in sweden
and not in holland
and not in europe
just in the U.S.
such a coincidence, ain't it?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 8 Mar 2010 @ 5:27pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: This is the Italians
wow, guess you haven't been to school lately. your straw-man argument isn't even that good. In Miami all the kids are armed to the teeth.
[ link to this | view in thread ]