EMI, YouTube Sign Distribution Deal

Google said Thursday that it had signed a deal with EMI that allows users of its YouTube social video site to view videos and content from the label's artists, as well as use portions of the video in their own content. With the signing of the agreement with EMI, the site now holds agreements on content with all four major worldwide labels.

"We're excited to add EMI Music's stellar roster of artists' content to our site and make it available to our community," YouTube CEO and co-founder Chad Hurley said in a statement. The deal further insulates YouTube from lawsuits brought by content providers over the use of copyrighted content on its site. Recently, it has been sued by Viacom, which is looking for $1 billion in damages.