Red Lasso Shuts Popular Service (But Not Without a Dig on the Networks)

Posted by Eriq Gardner

Last we checked in on Red Lasso, the popular web service that lets users search its database of recorded television for clips to post online, the company was being hounded by Fox, CBS and NBC for alleged copyright infringement. Since then, many popular websites and blogs including Huffington Post, stopped using Red Lasso.

The company indicated it would try to seek a deal and fight on, but in a press release it now says it will suspend access to its video search and clipping service. It also can't resist getting a last shot in at the big networks, saying, "The networks have provided a big blow to the blogger community’s right to exercise the First Amendment and comment on newsworthy events. It is anti-Web."

Speaking of copyright issues in new media, Warner Music Group is demanding that YouTube remove viral sensation "Obama Love," a montage of news clips showing the press fawning over the presidential candidate to the tune of Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You."