I watch programs on youtube when i like and how often.
It beats most programs and it's easier to use.
With channels on TV i have to get into a scedule of what i want to watch and when.
Youtube is just easier and more convenient.

Brett, biggleswade, UK

You Too can sue Viacom in a class action suit for depriving you of fair use of copyrighted material (parody, criticism, praise) and for restricting your public rights to freedom of speech. I think 100Billion should be enough to get get $10 per person!! The public have rights also, this issue is not just between Viacom and Google.

John, San Francisco, California/USA

It's the same, silly old argument from the greedy corporations. So what if they "lose" a little revenue from people watching stuff on YouTube? These are an audience that it's very likely wouldn't be watching their shows anyway, so how are they losing? And that's the same with so much piracy: people pirate stuff because they don't have the money to buy the product. It's not that important to them, so they'd only get it if it was free. It's like going to the library to read the newspaper. So a thousand people read it? Does it stop the sale of a thousand newspapers? Of course not. It just means a thousand people get to read the newspaper that wouldn't have otherwise.

And it's the same with YouTube. These are shows that people could do without. It's only the availability of them that makes them attractive. If they HAD to pay, they wouldn't watch them.

Jack Lee, Austin, TX

This law suit will clarify the copyright issue hopefully once and for all. I'm (as are most sane people I imagine) on the side of You Tube/Google. In my view, google has created a far bigger audience for viacom then they could ever have otherwise. Even if Google loses this case, it will not be harmed by it.

Google's model works because it is progressive and not restrictive.

Information should be made freely available in an advanced society, unless the person specifically wants to charge for it.

James, vienna,

Youtube is the new generation of viewing, as such these sort of websites will appear more and more over the next few years. I think Viacom is a load of crap, sueing for what, free advertisement?? I have watched many clips from shows on youtube, and it has influenced me to go out and buy these, shows / products. I don't understand personally how watching a show on Comedy central? is differeny from watching a taped show off comedy central (even though it's never the whole show)? Do I actually have to watch the show the time it aired? what if i'm working?? or asleep? I support youtube totally, and as a Fan, I will back them the whole way. If Youtube gets sued I will donate $200's to them in support, Viacom needs to catch up on modern trends and technology they shouldn't sue because they have failed to identify a lucrative market!!!!!!!

Adam Webb, Buckingham, UK

Using a VCR or DVD burner is for your own personal use, it is no different from using a video camera in a cinema, and distributing it for free (but in this case, personal use would also be wrong).

YouTube is just like Napster was in the late 90's, a means to get access to copyrighted material, and in the end the artists/distributers suffer.

If I spent $XXmn on a TV show, only to get no money from advertising as no one watches it on TV, but on YouTube for free, would I be happy - no!

James, Essex, UK

I wish people would stop these lawsuits against Google and YouTube. Even if there content is uploaded to YouTube, you could just as very well video record it on your VCR or DVD-Burner at home and give it out ot the public free. Nobody is SELLING content on YouTube so what's the harm?

Plus the shows's television stations and such get credit because nobody is stupid enough to think that YouTube is a television station producing these shows. They still get credit - if not more. I can't tell you how many times I've watched thins on YouTube that I'd have never watched on television.

Just stop screwing with Google/YouTube and leave them alone!

Blaine Bugasi, Northwest Indiana, United States

Sounds like Youtube is the new Napster. It was only a matter of time with the increase of bandwidth.

Ben, Camden, Australia

youTube is being singled out. Many many websites engage in this kind of practice - but they aren't owned by someone with deep pockets. But overall youtube must take measures to prevent copyrighted material from sticking around, or they will face more and more lawsuits. Especially if they lose the first round. Ouch!

Jake, Seattle,