RIAA vs Yout Legal Battle Heats Up as Stream-Ripper Demands YouTube's Input in Appeals Court
Stream-ripper Yout and RIAA face off in Appeals Court over YouTube downloading technology, bringing new developments in their long-running legal battle.
Courtroom interior with red drapes
The case centers on whether Yout's service illegally circumvents YouTube's technological protection measures. In 2021, the RIAA issued three DMCA takedown notices to Google, claiming Yout bypassed YouTube's "rolling cipher" anti-piracy technology to extract audio from videos.
Key points of contention:
- Yout maintains its service doesn't circumvent protection measures but automates a process users can do themselves through web browsers
- The RIAA argues that even if users can download content manually, Yout's automated service still constitutes circumvention
- Yout's attorney emphasizes the need for YouTube's direct input regarding their technological measures and intentions
- RIAA's attorney surprisingly classifies manual browser-based downloading as "hacking"
During oral arguments, Judge Richard Sullivan questioned the RIAA's position, noting that if users can download content without special tools, it raises doubts about whether any technological protection measures are actually being circumvented.
The case, initially dismissed in 2021 and again with prejudice in 2022, continues as Yout seeks to overturn these decisions while the RIAA pursues legal fees. The outcome could set important precedents for stream-ripping services and copyright protection measures.
YouTube 3D player buttons interface
The ongoing dispute highlights broader questions about technological protection measures, circumvention, and the legality of stream-ripping services in an evolving digital landscape.
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