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Veoh seeks court protection against copyright infringement lawsuits
MUMBAI: Online video networking site Veoh is seeking court protection against any copyright infringement suits from Universal Music Group (UMG) in the face of “unreasonable threats” from the record company. In the face of what it calls unreasonable threats by UMG, Veoh has filed an action in Federal court to reinforce its rights as a copyright compliant company under the safe harbor provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Veoh says that it is making use of widely available Internet technology to enable viewers and content holders to come together in a new market for the consumption of online video. In this market, Veoh reiterates that it is actively taking steps to create a copyright friendly environment. Veoh Networks CEO Steve Mitgang says, “It is unfortunate that UMG prefers to take actions that are designed to stifle innovation, shut down new markets and maintain the status quo instead of working to change and evolve models for today and the future”. Veoh is committed to creating and supporting a service where consumers get access to the video content they want in a manner respectful of copyright holders. This is evidenced by thousands of independent content producers utilizing Veoh to publish video content and relationships with dozens of major media brands. All of these efforts include ongoing, diligent compliance with the DMCA through proactive distribution of automated tools that enable enforcement of DMCA notification and prevent repeat offense publishing. Veoh is also working with industry groups such as the MPAA and content holders to implement state of the art technologies that include filtering and special compliance tools for copyright holders. Mitgang adds, “We are disappointed that we were forced to take this action, and consistent with our policy, are prepared to respond when and if UMG provides us with DMCA notice.”
Veoh‘s court action seeks a declaration that it has not infringed UMG‘s copyrights, and that because Veoh complies with the copyright laws, it is entitled to safe harbor under the DMCA from any claims brought by UMG. The action does not seek payment from UMG for damages.
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With 57 per cent single new users, Ashley Madison rebrands as discreet dating platform
Platform says majority of new members now identify as single
INDIA: Ashley Madison is shedding the “married-dating” label that defined it for two decades, repositioning itself as a platform for discreet dating in what it calls the post-social media age.
The rebrand, unveiled in India on 27 February, 2026, marks a structural shift in business model and identity. Once synonymous with married dating, the company now describes itself as the “premier destination for discreet dating” under a new tagline: Where Desire Meets Discretion.
The pivot is data-driven. Internal figures show that 57 per cent of global sign-ups between 1 January and 31 December, 2025 identified as single: a notable departure from the platform’s married core. The company argues that its community has already evolved beyond its original positioning.
“In an age where our lives have been constantly put on public display, privacy has become the new luxury,” said Ashley Madison chief strategy officer Paul Keable. He framed the platform’s offering as “ethical discretion” for singles, separated, divorced and non-monogamous users seeking private connections.
The shift also taps into wider digital fatigue. A global survey conducted by YouGov for Ashley Madison, covering 13,071 adults across Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US, found mounting discomfort with hyper-public online lives.
Among dating app users, 30 per cent cited constant swiping and messaging as a source of fatigue, while 24 per cent pointed to pressure to curate public-facing profiles and early personal disclosure. Some 27 per cent said fears of screenshots or information being shared contributed to exhaustion; an equal share cited unwanted attention.
The retreat from oversharing appears broader. According to the survey, 46 per cent of adults actively try to keep most aspects of their life private online. Only 8 per cent feel comfortable sharing most aspects publicly, while 35 per cent say they are becoming more selective about what they disclose.
Ashley Madison is betting that this cultural recalibration towards controlled visibility can be monetised. By doubling down on privacy infrastructure and reframing itself around discretion rather than infidelity, the company is attempting to convert reputational baggage into a premium proposition.
