Grouper.com, the YouTube style video sharing website that, as of last August, is owned by Sony Corp's Sony Pictures, has rejected allegations by the Universal Music Group that it is guilty of copyright infringement.
As previously reported, Universal last month launched legal action against Grouper.com, and another video sharing service called Bolt.com, claiming that both services allow and encourage fans to swap pirated music videos and should therefore be held liable for the violation of Universal's copyrights.
The legal action followed tough talking regarding social networking and content sharing websites by Universal chief Doug Morris - tough talking which was originally also targeted at YouTube, except the leading video sharing site managed to avoid litigation by reaching a licencing agreement with the major label, a deal which reportedly included Universal getting a small stake in YouTube.
And that YouTube agreement is cited in legal papers submitted by Grouper.com to the LA courts this week, refuting Universal's allegations. Whilst arguing that their service is fully compliant with the US's Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and that they remove any copyright material from their service if and when they are made aware of it, the Sony owned firm also accuses Universal of taking legal action against smaller players in the video sharing domain so to strengthen the hand of YouTube - Universal now having a vested interest in the Grouper.com's bigger rival. If you follow.
Universal are yet to respond to Grouper.com's submission.