RIAA vs Yout: Appeals Court Battle Heats Up as Stream-Ripper Demands YouTube's Input
The long-running legal battle between stream-ripper Yout and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has entered a new phase in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Courtroom interior with red drapes
The case centers on whether Yout's service, which allows users to download audio from YouTube videos, violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) by circumventing YouTube's "rolling cipher" anti-piracy technology.
Key Points of Contention:
- RIAA sent three DMCA takedown notices to Google, claiming Yout bypasses YouTube's anti-piracy measures
- Yout argues it merely automates a process users can perform themselves through web browsers
- The case was dismissed with prejudice in 2022, leading to Yout's current appeal
During the recent oral argument, Yout's attorney Evan Fray-Witzer emphasized the need for YouTube's direct input regarding their technological measures and their intended purpose. The lack of YouTube's participation as an amicus or witness has left crucial questions unanswered.
RIAA's attorney Rose Ehler made a notable claim that even manually downloading YouTube audio through web browsers constitutes "hacking" - a position that Judge Richard Sullivan openly questioned during the proceedings.
YouTube 3D player buttons interface
The case highlights broader questions about technological protection measures and what constitutes circumvention under the DMCA. The outcome could have significant implications for stream-ripping services and similar technologies that interact with protected content.
Related Articles
Diddy Faces New Sexual Assault Allegations Involving Minor at NYC Club
